Student Loans are becoming an interesting political issue because reports suggest the UK Government is considering making the student loan system in England more generous again. Possibly by increasing the salary threshold at which graduates start repaying, or reducing the amount they repay.
For more than half a century, Britain has pursued a remarkably consistent ambition to encourage more young people to go to university. It has been one of the most successful education policies in modern British history.
For many younger people, it is almost impossible to imagine becoming a bank manager, engineer, surveyor or senior civil servant without first obtaining a university degree. Yet for much of the twentieth century, that was precisely how Britain developed many of its most capable professionals.
Part 1 of a series: Scotland at the Crossroads – Money, Markets, and the Economics of Independence. Other articles will be publish in the coming week expanding the topic about various aspects of how money, savings mortgages etc might be treated under an independent Scotland without bias one way or another.
Europe’s energy crisis is often spoken about as something triggered by war, sanctions, and sudden disruption. But in reality, it has evolved into something more structural: a long-term rebalancing of where Europe gets its gas, how much risk it is willing to tolerate, and how far it is prepared to go—literally and politically—to secure supply.
Every few years Britain seems to rediscover the same argument. Student loans are too high.
A recent article on OilPrice.com caught our attention. The piece, titled “Power Prices Triple on PJM as Heat Wave and Data Centers Collide”, describes a moment that may be remembered as one of the first clear warnings that the world’s digital infrastructure is beginning to outgrow the electrical grids that power it.
Scotland is at a crossroads in how it recognises and promotes apprenticeships. England’s annual Top Apprenticeship Employers rankings—recently updated for 2026 have become a high‑profile benchmark for celebrating companies that invest heavily in skills, training, and workforce development.
After decades of central control, could the balance of power finally shift away from Whitehall? Every government promises to "empower local communities." Almost every government then proceeds to do the opposite. Councils are told what they must spend money on, what targets they must meet, what taxes they can raise and, increasingly, what they cannot do without first seeking permission from central government.
When politicians talk about "welfare spending", they are often referring to a very broad budget that includes: Working-age benefits (Universal Credit, disability benefits, housing benefit, etc.) State pensions Pension Credit and other pensioner benefits. The important point is that the State Pension is by far the largest single component of welfare spending.
Britain is at a pivotal moment. After decades of leaning heavily on financial services, the UK is now facing a convergence of pressures such as geopolitical shocks, energy transitions, supply‑chain fragility, and a renewed focus on national resilience.
The £4.6 billion contract awarded to industry joint venture Edgewing, funded jointly by the three partner nations, will advance the next stage of the aircraft's design. £4.6 billion contract secured with Italy and Japan to deliver a next-generation combat aircraft.
Andy Burnham needs to remember - “If rebalancing doesn’t reach Caithness, it isn’t rebalancing — it’s just regional branding.” Where the UK’s Economic Debate Feels Most Real In Caithness, the idea of “economic rebalancing” isn’t an abstract policy discussion — it’s a lived reality. Here, at the northern edge of mainland Britain, the distance from London isn’t just geographical.
Every year, millions of people dream of visiting the Scottish Highlands. They picture empty roads winding through spectacular mountains, pristine beaches, dramatic castles and unforgettable sunsets.
Every summer, thousands of visitors arrive in Caithness to explore dramatic coastlines, ancient castles, beautiful harbours and some of Scotland's most spectacular scenery. For most, Google Maps is an invaluable travelling companion.
Apparently None — But We’re All Experts Now. Before the Strait of Hormuz started making headlines, most of us thought potash was something you sprinkled on the garden once a year, and phosphates were either in dishwasher tablets or something your chemistry teacher mentioned right before you fell asleep.
Imagine you've booked a café for lunch in Wick. Google says it's "in Wick", so you allow half an hour before your next destination.
n additional £2.5 million is being invested to expand free after school activity clubs for primary school children from low-income families, starting this August. The investment builds on the success of the Extra Time programme – delivered in partnership with the Scottish Football Association (SFA) – which currently supports around 5,000 children every week across 50 clubs in 27 local authority areas.
Britain is constantly told there isn’t enough money. We’re told there isn’t enough to build council housing.
New funding has been made available to support people impacted by gambling-related mental health problems in Scotland. From today, organisations will be able to bid for a share of £375,000 to support projects and research linked to gambling harms and mental health, including suicide prevention.