Latest News

Today

Licence to Let? Why Scotland’s Short-Term Rental Crackdown Is Tightening - Especially in the Highlands

For years, short-term lets in Scotland operated in a kind of grey zone lightly regulated, rapidly expanding, and hugely profitable in the right locations and that era is over.   Since the introduction of Scotland’s licensing scheme, many hosts now feel that getting approval is harder than ever.  

Today

The Robotaxi Revolution: How Autonomous Ride‑Hailing Is Quietly Reshaping the Future of Cities

For years, robotaxis lived in the realm of tech‑world myth—promised, hyped, delayed, and often dismissed.  But something has shifted.  

Today : Local Authority

Non Domestic Rates - Sector Specific Business Rates Relief – from 1 April 2026

Support for Highland businesses may be available.   Retail, Hospitality & Leisure Relief.  

Today

 
The global system has failed. What do we need to do next? - Richard Murphy

What is next for the world? I think we may already know the answer — and it is deeply troubling.   In this video, I argue that the conflict driven by Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing the global economy towards a crisis on the scale of World War II.  

Today

Loose labour market should limit inflationary impact of latest energy-price shock and the need to raise interest rates

The pace of deterioration in the labour market has eased but it is still in far weaker shape than it was on the eve of the last energy price shock in 2022.  This could offer a silver lining by limiting the risk of high inflation and need for interest rate rises, the Resolution Foundation said (Tuesday 21 April 2026) in response to the latest ONS labour market statistics.  

Today

The Great Bond Squeeze: How U.S. Debt Turmoil Is Reshaping Global Markets and Why It Matters in the UK including Caithness

For decades, the U.S.  Treasury market has been the calm centre of the global financial system which is the anchor around which everything else orbits.  

Today

Post Office GLO Scheme to close following successful delivery

The Group Litigation Order (GLO) Compensation Scheme will close to new applications on 31 July 2026, with a view to the scheme concluding on 31 December 2026.   Redress scheme for group of postmasters who won Horizon court battle in 2019 to close in December.  

Today

 
Inflation Isn’t Done Yet: Why Prices Are Creeping Back Up in Britain 3.3% Reported Today

For a while, it looked like the worst might be over.   After months of steady decline, inflation in the UK had begun to ease, raising cautious optimism that the cost-of-living squeeze was finally loosening.  

Today

Oil in Limbo: Markets Caught Between Peace and Panic

Oil prices don’t usually drift—they react and right now, they’re reacting to a world that feels like it’s balancing on a knife edge.   This morning’s slight dip in oil prices might look like the start of a downward trend, but it’s more accurately a momentary exhale.  

Today

Military planners from over 30 nations will today (Wednesday 22 April) advance detailed planning to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in a two-day UK-hosted conference.

UK and France convene military planners to advance multinational mission to re-open the Strait of Hormuz.   Over 30 nations expected to attend the conference at UK’s Permanent Joint Headquarters in North London.  

Today

Scotland Decides: Inside the 2026 Manifestos and What They Really Mean

As Scotland heads toward the 2026 Holyrood election, every major party is promising change but they are not offering the same kind of change.   When you strip away slogans, each manifesto reveals a very different vision of Scotland’s future: one focused on independence, one on public service repair, one on tax cuts, and others on structural reform or climate transformation.  

Today

 
Inflation’s Warning Signal: A Sharp Surge in Producer Costs Beneath the Surface

Inflation doesn’t start in supermarkets or on high streets.  It starts earlier inside factories, supply contracts, and supply chains.  

Today

The Invisible War: How the U.S. Military Feeds, Fuels, and Sustains Forces Far From Home

Wars are often judged by strategy, firepower, and leadership.  But beneath all of that—largely unseen and rarely discussed is a second, quieter battle.  

Today

New EU rules for pet travel for GB residents

The changes apply to non-commercial movements of dogs, cats and ferrets.   From Wednesday 22 April 2026 new EU rules have come into effect covering how GB residents can travel to the EU with their pets.  

Today

 
Ofgem transformed to strengthen protections for energy consumers

Billpayers set to benefit from a stronger energy regulator to ensure they are treated fairly.   Energy regulator Ofgem reformed to introduce stronger protections for consumers.  

Today

 
Economic resilience continues, but outlook tempered by conflict in the Middle East

Recent data has remained positive for the Scottish economy, but the outlook for future growth is being dampened by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, according to the Fraser of Allander Institute 22 April 2026.   In its latest Quarterly Economic Commentary, the Institute has downgraded its 2026 growth forecast from 1.1 per cent (February 2026) to 0.9 per cent.  

Yesterday

 
When Local Objection Meets National Policy: The Spittal Battery Storage Decision

A familiar tension sits at the heart of many modern planning decisions: the clash between local opposition and national priorities.  The proposed battery energy storage system near Spittal is a clear example of how that tension is resolved not in favour of unanimity, but in favour of policy.  

Yesterday

 
Can your pension savings really keep you in old age? - Richard Murphy

The UK pension system is built on a false idea: that savings and financial assets can guarantee security in old age.  In this video, I argue that pensions do not ultimately depend on money saved in the past, but on the productive capacity of those still at work in the present.  

Yesterday

Manifesto analysis and policy proposals for the Scottish Election

The Institute for Fiscal Studies has looked carefully at the party manifestos.   We make no comments on any of them but they do look closely at the range of policies.  

Yesterday

 
Financial Crash Expert: The unthinkable is about to happen to the daily wage workers

Prof Steve Keen predicted the 2008 economic crash.   Yes its an AI bust coming but it may affect many of us one way or another.