The rental market in Scotland is undergoing a profound transformation. With the introduction of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 and the legacy of rent caps introduced during the cost-of-living crisis, landlords now face a landscape where tenant protections and affordability are prioritized over landlord flexibility.
With the Scottish Parliament election scheduled for May 2026, opinion polls are beginning to give a clearer sense of the political landscape. They suggest a contest that is competitive, fragmented, and far less predictable than in previous elections.
Resident doctors in Scotland have voted overwhelmingly to go on strike in a dispute over pay. This marks the first national strike action by NHS workers in Scotland.
At first glance, the opinion polls ahead of the May 2026 Scottish Parliament election appear to tell a familiar story. The SNP remains the largest party, pro-independence parties collectively retain significant support, and Scotland continues to vote differently from the rest of the UK.
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has today issued a stark warning to consumers ahead of the last shopping weekend this festive period to be on their guard against unsafe products that are entering the UK and could pose serious safety risks to shoppers. As Christmas approaches, the demand for products dramatically increases and the UK ports and borders are working incredibly hard to intercept non-compliant goods from entering into the UK, many of which would have ended up for sale on online marketplaces and then in the hands of consumers.
For many families, Christmas dinner is the centrepiece of the festive season — a meal rich in tradition, comfort and celebration. However, in recent years the cost of putting that meal on the table has become an increasing concern.
In November 2025, the United Kingdom Government announced a landmark decision in the nation's energy history. Wylfa, located on the north coast of Anglesey (Ynys Môn) in North Wales, has been selected as the site for the UK's first Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) — a pivotal step toward delivering clean, secure, and homegrown nuclear energy.
People smuggling gangs storing small boats and engines in Germany now face 10 years in jail under new German legislation. Criminal gangs will face up to 10 years in jail after Germany passed landmark new legislation on Friday 19 December to crack down on the criminal gangs involved in smuggling illegal migrants to the UK.
Around 3,000 more parent carers who look after disabled or seriously ill children will be able to take a break from their caring routine thanks to increased investment. They will receive cash grants to help finance a short break, like a day out or time away with their loved ones, after an additional £1.1 million was given to Family Fund, a charity supporting parents who look after disabled and seriously ill children.
HMRC interest rates for late payments will be revised following the Bank of England interest rate cut to 3.75% on 18 December 2025. The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee announced on 18 December 2025 to reduce the Bank of England base rate to 3.75% from 4.00%.
China has become the world's largest builder of commercial ships by a very large margin, far surpassing the United States and most other countries. Here's how it breaks down based on the latest available data.
Some householders will have a change of collection day over the festive period. If you are affected, a sticker will be placed on your bin with details of the collection days.
Ann Gow and Professor Anna Glasier have been appointed as Vice Chairs of the Scottish Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce. They will support the Minister for Public Health and Women's Health Jenni Minto in leading the Taskforce’s work to improve maternity and neonatal care across Scotland.
The EU's leaders have approved an interest-free €90 billion loan package to Ukraine to help cover its military, budgetary, and economic needs in 2026 and 2027. This is one of the largest single financial commitments from the EU since the war began.
oil prices have risen modestly on the markets in response to the United States' actions against Venezuelan oil tankers. After U.S.
As the UK labour market cools in 2025, young people are feeling the effects disproportionately. There are signs this may be contributing to higher emigration among this age group.
At its meeting ending on 17 December 2025, the Monetary Policy Committee voted by a majority of 5-4 to reduce Bank Rate by 0.25 percentage points, to 3.75%. Four members voted to maintain Bank Rate at 4%.
For decades, the United States has been the world's top destination for scientists, researchers, and innovators. Its vast federal funding, world‑leading universities, and stable research ecosystem created a powerful "brain gain" that fuelled breakthroughs in medicine, engineering, computing, and space science.
The Bank of England's decision on 18 December 2025 to reduce the base rate by a quarter of a percentage point has renewed public interest in when and how mortgage holders will feel the effects. While base rate changes are often presented as immediately beneficial for borrowers, the reality is more complex and depends heavily on the type of mortgage an individual holds.
The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data for November 2025 show that retail sales volumes fell by about 0.1% month‑on‑month, despite expectations of modest growth. Analysts had been forecasting around a 0.4% rise.