News Archive

17/4/2026

More joy, less juggle? Why workplaces should get on board with the value of care

The core premise of feminism is this: women can do anything.  And yes, these days in developed economies, women without children earn about the same as men.  

17/4/2026

 
Gamblers don't understand ‘free bets' - and the costs can be huge

"Welcome bonus: get 150% up to £150 on your first deposit".  It's the kind of offer that greets anyone who visits a British online betting site but what it doesn't say is that if you decide to spend £50 on this offer, you'd need to stake an additional £750 of your own money before any winnings could be withdrawn.  

17/4/2026

The UK is spending more on defence - but is raiding the aid budget the best way to pay for it?

In March, the UK foreign secretary Yvette Cooper made a statement to parliament setting out the government's international aid priorities.  With an aid budget significantly smaller than it was five years ago, Cooper proposed which countries and programmes would receive support.  

17/4/2026

Price Gouging or Political Cover? What's Really Driving Oil and Fertiliser Prices In UK and USA

In both the United Kingdom and the United States, political leaders have recently suggested that major companies in oil and fertiliser markets may be engaging in price gouging.  The accusation is powerful as it implies that corporations are exploiting global instability to inflate profits at the expense of households and farmers.  

16/4/2026 : Auctioneers

Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd - Sale 15 April 2026

DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd, (April 15th) 803 Prime Sheep.   Old Season Lambs (383) averaged 376.7p per kg and sold to 433.0p per kg and £218 gross.  

16/4/2026

Why Scotland Is Cutting Energy Jobs During a Potential Energy Crisis - Aberdeen's losses, Caithness's risks, and a national contradiction

Aberdeen is entering another wave of job losses just as the UK faces the most serious energy‑security warnings since the 1970s.   Spirit Energy's plan to cut around 100 jobs is only the latest in a cascade of reductions across the North Sea sector.  

16/4/2026

Electric Flights Reach the Highlands: What Loganair's Wick Trials Mean for Passenger Travel

In early 2026, regional carrier Loganair quietly made aviation history with a series of real world electric aircraft trials across Scotland linking key regional airports including Wick Airport.  Unlike previous test flights that stayed firmly in the realm of demonstration, this programme was designed to mimic actual airline operations, offering a glimpse into how electric aviation could soon become part of everyday travel.  

16/4/2026

1,200 UK jobs supported by nearly £900 million defence deal to keep military helicopters mission-ready

More than 1,000 jobs have been secured through a new contract to help sustain Army Apache and RAF Chinook helicopters.   £879 million contract awarded to Boeing Defence UK to keep the British Army Apache and RAF Chinook helicopters mission-ready.  

16/4/2026

 
Why Is Britain Turning Off Its Own Wind Farms?

Scottish wind farms generate nearly half of Great Britain's wind power, but in 2025, turbines there were paid £350 million to switch off.  At the same time, Britain spent over a billion pounds firing up gas to replace it.  

16/4/2026

From Chicken to CO?: Why the Iran Conflict Is Raising Food Supply Concerns in the UK

In recent weeks, reports of potential shortages of everyday items such as chicken and pork have begun to surface in discussions around UK government contingency planning.  At first glance, the idea may seem surprising.  

16/4/2026

Construction Stalls as Housing Lags: What the February 2026 ONS Data Means for the UK's Building Ambitions

The latest construction output figures from the Office for National Statistics for February 2026 present a mixed but ultimately concerning—picture of the UK's building sector.   While headline growth in the wider economy has recently surprised on the upside, construction remains one of its weakest links, raising serious questions about whether the government's ambitious housebuilding targets can realistically be achieved.  

16/4/2026

 
A Strong Start with Uncertain Momentum: What the UK's February 2026 GDP Report Really Shows

The latest monthly GDP release from the Office for National Statistics offers a surprisingly upbeat snapshot of the UK economy in February 2026—though one that comes with clear warnings about what may lie ahead.   After a sluggish end to 2025 and a largely flat January, February delivered a marked shift in momentum, suggesting the economy entered the year on firmer footing than many had expected.  

16/4/2026

 
Britain's real enemy is not Iran - it's failed defence thinking - Richard Murphy

Lord George Robertson - a former Labour defence secretary, and former Secretary General of NATO - has made a claim about the UK's defence capability that is not merely wrong.  It is dangerously wrong.  

16/4/2026

 
Postal voters urged to make their vote count

As postal packs start to be dispatched for the Scottish Parliament Election from today, Wednesday 15 April, postal voters are being reminded to make sure they return them in time.  They are also advised to read the instructions carefully when completing their pack to ensure their vote counts.  

16/4/2026

Government cuts electricity bill for 10,000 manufacturers in boost for UK competitiveness

The Government has announced that electricity bills will be cut by up to 25% for over 10,000 businesses through the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme.   Chancellor announces bold action on businesses' electricity bills during IMF meetings in Washington, as Government strengthens Britain’s economic security - helping deliver stability, keeping costs down, and boosting competitiveness.  

16/4/2026

 
Trade Deficit Narrows but Imbalances Remain: What the UK's February 2026 Trade Data Tells Us

The latest UK trade figures from the Office for National Statistics for February 2026 provide a cautiously encouraging picture of the country's external position.   But one that still highlights deep structural imbalances in how the UK trades with the world.  

16/4/2026

 
Selling Gold in a Crisis: Why Russia Is Tapping Its Reserves - and What It Means for Global Markets

Recent reports that Russia has begun selling portions of its gold reserves have sparked understandable interest in financial markets.   Gold is typically seen as a last-resort asset a store of value held for times of extreme stress.  

16/4/2026

How to seize the growing opportunities of AI and technology ahead

A key focus for the MHRA as we develop our forthcoming strategy is enabling safe and timely access to innovative technologies, while maintaining public trust.  This includes strengthening our approach to regulating adaptive AI, enhancing both pre-market evaluation and robust post-market surveillance, and ensuring that safety, performance and equity remain central as technologies evolve in real-world settings.  

16/4/2026

UK and EU finalise agreement to bring UK into Erasmus+ in 2027

Thousands across the UK set to benefit from re-opening of the historic Erasmus+ programme.   Students, apprentices and young people will soon be able to study and work across Europe, as the UK and EU sign the legal text in Brussels today to formally bring the UK into Erasmus+ in 2027.  

16/4/2026

UK announces biggest ever drone package for Ukraine to push back Putin English??????????

Biggest ever UK drone package for Ukraine announced, including more than 120,000 drones, supplying cutting-edge battlefield technology.   The UK has announced the biggest ever drone package for Ukraine, delivering at least 120,000 drones for Ukraine this year and driving growth and jobs across the UK.