Latest News

Today

UK to secure critical minerals boosting economic resilience and cutting reliance on imports

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.  

Today

Ships Still Stuck at Hormuz So Why Is The Oil Price Dropping

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.  

Today : Local Authority

A Tale of Two Schools - Is Thurso Next? As Moray Council Shelves £100million school plan for Buckie

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.  

Today

The Hidden Cost of High Energy Prices: What Is Happening to UK Industry?

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.  

Today : Local Authority

 
Highland Council launches new platform to improve online engagement

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.  

Today

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer Resigns

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.  

Today

Streeting Backs Burnham: Is Labour Heading for a Coronation Rather Than a Contest?

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.  

Today

Live Market Reaction To Starling Resignation - Sterling Slides as Westminster Resets

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.  

Yesterday

Strait of Hormuz: Closed on Paper, Open in Practice? Now The Wait To See If Oil Prices Spiral Again

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.  

Yesterday

Will the UK and Europe Do More To Protect Home Industries Against Cheap Chinese Imports

There is a growing debate across both the UK and the EU about whether more protection is needed for domestic industries as Chinese exports increase.   The issue is not simply that China exports a lot.  

Yesterday

Do governments have any levers left to affect the oil and gas prices

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.  

Yesterday

To Save Spend Or Something In Between

To save or not to save oto spend or not to spend.  There is a balance, and this is one of the central dilemmas in economics.  

20/6/2026

World Cup booze ban for 7,300 offenders thanks to crime-cutting alcohol tags

Streets will be safer as thousands of offenders are to be banned from drinking alcohol during the World Cup this summer as part of the Government’s commitment to cut booze-fuelled crime.   Offenders to be fitted with innovative tags that measure alcohol intake 24/7 Drinking expected to soar as fans tune in to football games from pubs and at home Tags help to protect our streets from £21 billion cost of booze-fuelled crime Statistics show that around 7,300 criminals either released from prison or serving a community sentence will be forced to wear alcohol tags at some point during the tournament.  

20/6/2026

UK Whole of Government Accounts 2024–25: Key Features & Major Problems

The Whole of Government Accounts (WGA) is the UK’s single consolidated set of financial statements covering over 10,000 public bodies — central government, NHS, local authorities, devolved governments, academies, and public corporations.  It is globally unique and is meant to give Parliament and the public a full picture of the state’s finances.  

20/6/2026

The Barnett Formula Explained: How Scotland’s Funding Is Really Decided - A Clear Explanation

If you want to understand Scotland’s public finances, you need to understand the Barnett Formula.  It’s one of the most important — and most misunderstood — mechanisms in UK finance.  

20/6/2026

 
The Great High Street Transformation – Who Disappeared, Who Survived and What Our Town Centres Look Like Today

Walk through almost any town or city today and one thing quickly becomes apparent.   The high street is not the place it was at the turn of the century.  

20/6/2026

What Devonshire Homes’ Administration Tells Us About the UK Building Industry

The news that Devonshire Homes, a £50m‑turnover regional housebuilder, has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators is more than a single corporate failure.  It’s a symptom of deeper stress across the UK construction and housing market.  

20/6/2026

A Critique of the Barnett Formula — and the Alternatives Scotland Could Use Instead

The Barnett Formula has shaped Scotland’s public finances for nearly half a century.  It was introduced in 1978 as a temporary fix, yet it remains the backbone of how Scotland’s block grant is calculated today.  

20/6/2026

 
Border Force secures its largest ever cannabis seizure

12 tonne haul found at Southampton Port smashes records.   Border Force has seized a record-breaking 12 tonnes of cannabis as part of a major international operation.  

20/6/2026

The Whole of Government Accounts (WGA): A Plain‑English Summary

The UK Government has published its latest Whole of Government Accounts (WGA) — a 200‑plus‑page document that attempts to show the financial position of the entire public sector in one place.  It’s one of the most ambitious public‑sector accounting exercises in the world, but it’s also notoriously dense.