25 h. ago Organisation supporting parents in West Lothian shares concerns over impact of budget cuts

Angela Constance MSP for Almond Valley recently met with the team at Home-Start

Politics

28 h. ago West Lothian Film Festival Director is getting down to raise money for breast cancer support organisation

Christopher McPhillips will complete one squat for every £1 donated

Culture

30 h. ago What the datacenter boom means for America’s environment – and electricity bills

In this week’s newsletter: from Google to Amazon to OpenAI, the economic and climate cost of datacenters continues to grow• Don’t get Down to Earth delivered to your inbox? Sign up hereThe headlong rush to build huge new datacenters, in order to support the growth of AI, is raising a number of concerns in the US – around the impact upon the climate crisis, water use and electricity bills. It’s also set to reshape American politics in potentially unusual ways.Companies such as Microsoft, Google, OpenAI, Amazon and Meta are pouring hundreds of billions of dollars into new datacenters that will form the backbone to the surging use of AI by businesses and the public.Bird migration is changing. What does this reveal about our planet? – visualisedTowns may have to be abandoned due to floods with millions more homes in Great Britain at riskThe plastic inside us: how microplastics may be reshaping our bodies and mindsDatacenter emissions probably 662% higher than big tech claims. Can it kee...

Science

39 h. ago Rachel Reeves plans to help struggling households in the Budget 'by cutting VAT on fuel bills' 

Rachel Reeves (pictured) said she was planning 'targeted action to deal with cost of living challenges' as she battles to reduce soaring inflation while balancing the books.

Economics

46 h. ago Labour tax pledge stands, says No 10, as Reeves rolls pitch for hikes on wealthy

The Chancellor has acknowledged she is looking at potential tax rises and spending cuts at her November 26 Budget.

Economics

52 h. ago School pupils in letter writing campaign calling for road safety improvements at Castle Douglas crossing

There have been a number of near misses near the town's primary school since the lollipop man was axed due to budget cuts.

Politics

55 h. ago Rachel Reeves admits she is planning tax hikes and spending cuts in Budget

The Chancellor will have to fill a black hole estimated at around £50billion

Economics

68 h. ago Stirling councillor claims residents left to pay hundreds over rat infestations

A full council meeting heard concerns from several householders about rats and the impact of a £200 council charge on levels of reporting on the issue.

Politics

3 d. ago Chancellor Rachel Reeves hints she's looking for tax rises and spending cuts in upcoming Budget

Chancellor Reeves fails to accept responsibility for economic woes as she blames impact of Brexit, austerity policies and ex-PM Liz Truss's mini-budget

Economics

3 d. ago Is ANY of it your fault, Rachel? Reeves blames Brexit, austerity, Farage and the Tories as she admits tax rises and spending cuts ARE coming in the Budget

Rachel Reeves tried to slough off responsibility as she gave the clearest indication yet that more pain is coming in the Budget.

Economics

3 d. ago Reeves admits she’s looking at tax rises and spending cuts in Budget

The chancellor blamed Brexit for the move, saying it has had a ‘severe’ impact on the public finances

Economics

3 d. ago Rachel Reeves drops biggest hint yet on tax rises and spending cuts in Budget

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said 'of course, we're looking at tax and spending' as she scrambles to plug a black hole in the public finances estimated to be at around £50billion

Economics

3 d. ago Capita hit with £14m fine for personal data breach in 2023 cyber attack

Hackers stole personal information including pension details and staff records as well as details of customers of organisations Capita supports.

Events

4 d. ago I fear Rachel Reeves is coming for your savings in the Budget but I've seen the fatal flaw: SYLVIA MORRIS

There are fears of cuts in Rachel Reeves' Budget on November 26. Let's hope the Chancellor sees sense.

Economics

4 d. ago I fear Rachel Reeves is coming for your savings in her Budget... but I've seen the fatal flaw in her plan. This is how you can protect yourself and your money: SYLVIA MORRIS

There are fears of cuts in Rachel Reeves' Budget on November 26. Let's hope the Chancellor sees sense.

Economics

4 d. ago Teenage boy takes his parents to court after being enrolled at Ghanian boarding school over fears he would fall into gang violence in Britain

The boy, known as S, started a family court case after his parents left him in west Africa in March 2024 over concerns he was at risk of engaging in criminal activity or being killed due to knife crime.

Events

5 d. ago 'World's most miserable playground' where kids mix with rats and dog mess

Parents are furious over the state of West End Quarter play area in Folkestone which has overflowing bins and is 'covered in rat mess and urine,' leading families to keep their kids away

Politics

5 d. ago Bathgate & Linlithgow MP reaffirms support for mental health help in constituency

Kirsteen Sullivan has been actively engaging with a wide range of local organisations dedicated to supporting individuals with mental health challenges.

Politics

6 d. ago Chancellor Rachel Reeves set to tax the rich to fill £30BILLION public finance black hole

Treasury sources have said the Chancellor will not significantly increase borrowing or cut public spending in this year's Autumn budget.

Economics

6 d. ago Prince Andrew secretly told Jeffrey Epstein they would 'play some more soon'

In the message, Prince Andrew said he was 'concerned' about the impact this paper's revelations would have on him, but reassured Jeffrey Epstein the pair would 'rise above' press scrutiny.

Politics