Barnsley named UK's first Tech Town - with local schools and college, businesses, NHS and more getting bespoke government support to unleash opportunities of AI. Barnsley named UK's first Tech Town - with local schools and college, businesses, NHS and more getting bespoke government support to unleash opportunities of AI.
The Chief Statistician has released figures on local government finance in 2024-25. These figures provide a comprehensive overview of the financial activity of local government, including revenue expenditure and income; capital expenditure and financing; reserves; debt; and pensions.
It's often said that millions of people in the UK don't save enough - with one in ten adults saving no money at all. That figure from a 2025 report from the Financial Conduct Authority regulator came with a warning that it's leaving people walking a financial tightrope.
Waiting lists continue to fall in Scotland with waits over 52 weeks reducing for 7 months in a row. New figures from Public Health Scotland show at 31 December 2025 new outpatient waits of more than 52 weeks had reduced by 15.4% when compared to November 2025.
AI is making its biggest contributions in work that involves patterns, large amounts of data, speed, and repeatable decisions. Here are the main areas, with concrete examples so it's easier to see where the impact really is.
New framework will protect public health and the environment from risks posed by PFAS. A new plan to better protect the nation and the environment from harmful ‘forever chemicals' has been unveiled today (Tuesday 3 February 2026) by the UK Government.
Business confidence in Scotland remains weak, according to the Fraser of Allander Institute's Scottish Business Monitor with firms pointing to cost pressures, subdued investment and little expectation of short-term relief. All six headline indicators in the quarterly survey, which tracks business sentiment from over 250 businesses across all 32 Scottish local authorities, have remained in negative territory for a fifth consecutive quarter.
For years, radioactive particles discovered near Dounreay were headline news. Each find triggered a press release, picked up by local and national outlets, reminding communities that the nuclear legacy was still with us.
Millions of working women will be better off with new measures being introduced to tackle historic gender pension gap. Millions of women working in local government will see their pensions improve under new reforms coming into force in April, as the government takes action to close the gender pension gap.
An update on Homelessness Statistics covering 1 April to 30 September 2025 has been released today. Over that period: There were 20,643 applications for homelessness assistance.
A series of measures to address long-term unemployment, boost economic growth and tackle child poverty have been detailed by Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes. Funding of £90 million in the draft Scottish Budget for 2026-27 is expected to help up to 7,500 people furthest from the labour market into work, with thousands more expected to benefit from qualifications and training.
UK banks agree £11 billion lending packages to support small business growth, particularly for small and mid-sized enterprises. Money will help firms invest, hire and expand into new international markets, taking advantage of major new trade deals.
West Midlands Trains services are now managed by DfT Operator Ltd (DFTO). From 1 February 2026, passengers who travel with London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway will benefit from reliable and better-connected services.
A new coffee roasting business established in Caithness has secured up to £35,165 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). 58 North Coffee Roastery was formed earlier this year by entrepreneurs Daniel Doerr and Simon Dix, who identified an opportunity following their relocation to the area.
For 232 years, the one pence coin was a fixture of British life. Introduced in 1797 under King George III, it became the nation's longest‑circulating coin.
The NHS and Department of Health and Social Care have failed to take meaningful action on persistent medical negligence problems, despite repeated warnings over decades. Total government liability for clinical negligence has soared to around £58-60 billion, the second-largest liability across the whole UK government.
As of February 2, 2026, the new UK Government Fuel Finder scheme is live, requiring petrol stations to report price changes within 30 minutes. The data is available through third-party apps, websites, and in-car navigation systems rather than a single government-branded app.
There's no doubt that investment from companies owned outside of Scotland is increasingly important in growing the economy of the Highlands and Islands. Interest in the region is diverse and across many sectors.
Gold and silver prices fell sharply this week after hitting record highs. Both metals experienced one of their biggest drops in decades, with notable selling pressure late January.
Gold and silver in freefall sparking stock market declines. Shock unravelling of gold and silver prices has continued.
