Retail had a strong May with e-commerce leading the way, says the home delivery expert Parcelhero. New ONS figures reveal e-commerce sales values soared 12.2% YOY and by 9.8% YOY for the three months to May.
Moneyfacts UK Unsecured Lending Trends Treasury Report data reveals 0% introductory purchase and balance transfer terms are at a four-year high, yet credit card interest stands at a 20-year high. Loan pricing is stable, rates lower year-on-year.
“Santander has shot to the top of the market with its new Regular Saver paying 8% AER, incredibly eye-catching for those looking to gradually build their savings pot. The 8% AER does include a 5% bonus for 12 months.
Why is oil falling despite Hormuz problems? Several things are happening at once. Traders increasingly believe the worst-case scenario of a prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz is becoming less likely.
A series of recommendations aimed at reducing poverty and inequality across the Highlands by 2030 will come before Highland Council this week. The independent Highland Poverty and Equality Commission’s final report, Essential Elements, draws on nine months of extensive engagement across the region - including 26 outreach visits across 14 communities, stakeholder sessions and evidence gathering from people with direct experience of financial hardship.
With the 10 years anniversary of BREXIT the Scottish Government is once again promoting the idea that an independent Scotland could rejoin the EU. How realistic is that with some major problems to be overcome not least the currency and border issues.
On the gloriously sunny morning of July 5 2024, Keir Starmer walked into Downing Steet as prime minister for the first time, having won a stonking 174-strong majority in the general election the day before. On a similarly warm morning a little less than two years later, he has been forced to stand outside Number 10 and announce his resignation.
HMRC publishes the estimated tax gap for the 2024 to 2025 tax year. The estimated provisional UK tax gap for the 2024 to 2025 tax year is 6.4% or £59.2 billion.
This is becoming one of the most important economic questions of the next decade. A few years ago, people worried that Bitcoin would consume huge amounts of electricity.
Scotland has three things that are becoming increasingly valuable in the AI era. Large renewable energy resources.
The short answer is that oil traders are looking beyond today's headlines and trying to price what happens next. At first glance it seems illogical.
Households and businesses are set to benefit from stronger, more secure supply chains as the UK invests £50 million in critical minerals projects. Government backs critical minerals projects across the UK, strengthening Britain’s economic security by diversifying supply.
When Moray Council officially shelved plans for a new Buckie High School, it sent a shockwave through communities across the north of Scotland. The message was clear: in the current economic climate, even the most desperate promises of new school builds can vanish overnight when balanced against a massive budget deficit.
UK industry is no longer waiting for energy prices to fall. Instead, businesses are adapting by using less energy, generating their own power, relocating investment, or in some cases closing altogether.
The Highland Council has today (Monday 22 June) launched a new online engagement platform which will transform how residents, communities and visitors engage with consultations. The easy-to-use platform allows anyone to quickly see what projects and proposals are open for consultation and engagement.
Sir Keir Starmer has officially resigned as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, standing outside 10 Downing Street to announce an orderly exit timetable. Following a bruising weekend of reflection at Chequers and a massive cabinet mutiny, Starmer choked back tears as he confirmed he will step down as Labour leader, with a successor expected to be in place by September 2026.
A letter of support from Wes Streeting is politically significant because Streeting had been viewed as a potential rival. Reports today suggest he is backing Andy Burnham rather than mounting his own challenge, which strengthens Burnham's position considerably.
The financial markets are displaying classic symptoms of political whiplash as the news of Starmer’s exit hits the trading floors. While London's equity markets have largely remained in a cautious "wait-and-see" pattern, the currency markets have taken an immediate hit.
At the moment, both sides are technically telling part of the story. Iran has announced that it considers the Strait of Hormuz "closed" and has warned shipping against using it.
governments still have some levers, but they are much weaker than many people imagine. Oil and gas are traded in global markets, so no single government—especially one the size of the UK—can simply order prices lower.