New ONS figures show UK goods exports jumped by £2bn in January, with an increase in exports to both EU and non-EU countries. However, US tariff changes and the impact of the Iran conflict mean 2026's strong start may swiftly falter, warns the international delivery specialist Parcelhero.
Scotland's Strategic Role, Ageing Population, and the Future of the UK Armed Forces** For decades, Scotland has lived with the slow withdrawal of anchor employers: the closure of military bases, the shrinking of the oil and gas sector, the centralisation of public services, and the long decline of traditional industries. Rural communities especially in the Highlands have felt this most acutely.
Practical steps for getting through the next wave of rising costs — from fuel to food to heating Life in the Highlands has never been cheap, but the next year is shaping up to be one of the hardest in recent memory. Rising fuel prices, stubborn food inflation, high electricity costs, and slow‑to‑fall mortgage rates are combining into a pressure wave that will hit rural households earlier and harder than the rest of the UK.
No not rises, but fewer cuts than previously expected. Most economic analysts had expected the Bank of England to start cutting rates early in 2026.
British Army begins retiring iconic Land Rover fleet after 70 years of service. British soldiers will use a new fleet of thousands of modern vehicles, following the start of the retirement of the iconic Land Rover fleet.
Four years after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the world is bracing for another energy crisis. The US-Israel bombing of Iran and then the blockade of the strait of Hormuz have forced up the price of oil.
The Middle East war is not just a military conflict — it is the biggest economic disaster most of us will ever see. Two weeks in, the closure of the Straits of Hormuz has already triggered a global economic crisis that will hit every country on earth.
Support worth up to £26,000 by a child's 16th birthday. One parent families are being urged to check if they are eligible for social security support this National Single Parents Day (21 March 2026).
There's a truth that polite politics in Edinburgh and London rarely acknowledges. Rural Scotland cannot survive on small businesses, tourism, and good intentions alone.
A new Defence scheme to transform support for forces families with young children will be rolled out across the UK from September 2026. A new Defence scheme to transform support for forces families with young children will be rolled out across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from September 2026, the Defence Secretary has announced today.
The UK makes it quicker to return Nigerians with no legal right to remain. Visa overstayers, foreign criminals and failed asylum seekers will be removed from British soil far more easily under a new agreement struck this week during the state visit of Nigeria's President, Bola Tinubu.
"Working longer doesn't make countries richer—working smarter does." It’s a simple idea, but one that cuts directly to the heart of the UK’s economic problem. For years, the UK has struggled with weak growth, stagnant wages, and widening regional inequality.
The Resolution Foundation's "Growth, Mais day" report makes one thing clear: the UK's economic challenge is no longer just about short-term shocks or policy cycles—it is about a deeper, structural slowdown that is reshaping how people live and work across the country. While "low growth" can sound abstract, its consequences are very real.
Oil prices have surged sharply due to the escalating US-Iran conflict, and this is already feeding directly into higher petrol and diesel prices across the UK. The latest data shows crude oil hitting $117 per barrel, pushing pump prices to their highest levels since 2022.
389 employers from across the UK named for failing to pay workers the minimum wage to tens of thousands of workers. Employers told to repay over £7.3 million in wages owed to workers to aid the cost of living for some of the lowest earners.
Office for Nuclear Regulation grant a site licence to Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) - major milestone that will enable the site's decommissioning. With exactly two weeks until Hunterston B becomes the UK's first Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor (AGR) site to transfer into UK Government ownership, a major milestone that will enable the nuclear power station’s decommissioning has been achieved.
NHS Highland's decision to close its clinical pain intervention service from late September 2026 marks a significant turning point in the region's already fragile healthcare landscape. For patients living with chronic pain—many of whom rely on specialist procedures such as injections, nerve blocks, and other interventions—the announcement represents not just a service change, but a profound shift in how and where they will be treated.
In March 2026, a significant change was introduced to the UK's payment system when the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) removed the national £100 limit on contactless card payments. This decision marked a shift away from a standardised national cap towards a more flexible, bank-led approach.
The UK continues to expand its digital infrastructure, with a major focus on improving 5G connectivity and rural coverage. A key recent development is the launch of O2 Satellite (sometimes informally referred to as "Starlight"), a new service introduced by Virgin Media O2 in partnership with Starlink.
The decision to close the clinical pain intervention service in late 2026 is not an isolated event. It is part of a deeper, more structural shift in how healthcare is delivered across the Highlands.