34 h. ago Hopes of growth among London small businesses falls to lowest level since the pandemic

Fears of what the Budget might bring in November appears to be depressing confidence says survey

Events

4 d. ago Concern over 'easy availability' of alcohol in West Lothian despite fall in deaths

The number of alcohol related deaths in West Lothian fell last year, in line with the drop across Scotland.

Events

9 d. ago Alcohol deaths in Ayrshire remain at lowest level for six years

In 2024, the same number of alcohol-specific deaths was recorded as there was in 2023.

Events

1 week ago Alcohol deaths fall to lowest level since 2019 but remain ‘appallingly high’

The data from National Records of Scotland show there were 1,185 alcohol specific deaths in 2024 – which was down 7% from the previous year, meaning there were 92 fewer deaths

Events

1 week ago Alcohol deaths in Scotland remain 'appallingly high' as SNP is warned minimum unit pricing drive has failed

Scotland continues to have the highest rate of alcohol specific deaths of any country in the UK.

Events

1 week ago Alcohol deaths in Scotland drop to 2019 levels after soaring during covid lockdowns

Scots living in the poorest parts of the country are 4.5 times more likely to drink themselves to death than those living in the wealthiest neighbourhoods.

Events

1 week ago Blow for Reeves as business output slows sharply in September

Economists warn of “litany of worrying news” as PMI survey reading falls to lowest level for five months

Politics

1 week ago Pep Guardiola is leading a strangely defensive new approach to the Premier League

The possession that once defined the Spanish manager’s sides has evaporated, and it’s hard to see exactly whySign up for Soccer with Jonathan Wilson hereWe really are now through the looking glass with Pep Guardiola. Eyebrows had been raised by the way Manchester City approached the second half of their commanding derby win last week, sitting off, allowing United the ball and picking them off on the break. But their performance in drawing at Arsenal on Sunday was on a different level entirely: just 34% possession, the lowest any Guardiola side has ever registered in a game. By the end they had four central defenders, two holding midfielders and a full-back on the pitch.But even that doesn’t get to the heart of how strange this was. In the previous five seasons there have only been 10 occasions when City did not have more possession than their opponents in a Premier League game. Only once before in the Premier League has City’s possession under Guardiola dipped below 40% – when they ...

Politics

1 week ago Tom Voyce was almost three times legal alcohol limit when swept to his death in car

Ex-England rugby star Tom Voyce's inquest is taking place today following his death aged 43 in December last year when his car was swept away during Storm Darragh

Events

2 w. ago Policy "blind spot" driving Scottish men from poor backgrounds to early graves

Shocking report slates Scottish Government for failing to build for future success with joined-up policies to reverse our nation's shameful record on drugs, alcohol and suicide deaths

Events

2 w. ago Inside tragic boxer Ricky Hatton's health battles after his shock death at 46: How his biggest opponents were depression, drug and alcohol abuse and suicidal thoughts

Boxer Ricky Hatton will always be remembered as one of Britain's most inspiring fighters-both in and out of the ring.

Events

2 w. ago France’s credit rating downgraded, with debt forecast to keep rising amid political turmoil

Fitch downgrade to lowest level on record complicates new prime minister Sebastien Lecornu and President Emmanuel Macron’s efforts to control France’s financesThe Fitch agency downgraded France’s credit rating on Friday, as President Emmanuel Macron struggles with political instability and disagreements on how to put the country’s strained public finances in order.The US rating agency, one of the top global institutions gauging the financial solidity of sovereign borrowers, downgraded France on its ability to pay back debts, from “AA-” to “A+”, the country’s lowest level on record at a major credit rating agency. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago King Charles suffers major blow ahead of historic Donald Trump state visit

A new survey has recorded the lowest level of support for the monarchy in 40 years, with calls for complete abolishing of the Firm starting to rise

Politics

3 w. ago US high school students lose ground in math and reading, continuing yearslong decline

A decade-long slide in high school students’ performance in reading and math persisted during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 12th graders’ scores dropping to their lowest level in more than 20 years

Politics

3 w. ago Staying put: the number of homebuyers leaving London is at lowest level for 12 years

A return to the office and reduced purchasing power see more Londoners remaining in the capital

Politics

3 w. ago Fewer Londoners leave the capital amid low house price growth and return to office mandates

The number of Londoners buying homes outside the capital has fallen to its lowest level since 2013.

Society

3 w. ago Vive les Socios: struggling French clubs open doors to shareholder fans in tough times

Supporters are putting money into their teams in a typically collective response to financial crisisThere seems to be a not-for-profit association for everything in France, from amateur mycology to choral music and international disaster relief. There were one and a half million Associations Loi 1901 at the last count, which equates to one for every 48 inhabitants, with 60,000 to 70,000 new groups created each year. They constitute an essential part of the fabric of French society, a natural response to every kind of need felt by local communities – except when it comes to organised football.This is odd, considering professionalism was introduced by the French FA as late as 1932 after a decade of hand-wringing and it would have been natural for practitioners of the game to take the matter in their own hands. Yet in France, club ownership at all but the lowest level has always been the preserve of private individuals, local authorities and, a very French trait, businesses that have s...

Politics