22 h. ago Scotland's civil service grows by hundreds despite SNP pledge to cut it

Between June 2024 and June 2025, the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) civil servants rose by 430

Politics

29 h. ago Tories pledge to make £47bn of savings with major cut to welfare

Shadow chancellor set to announce raft of cuts across welfare and foreign aid

Economics

4 d. ago SNP to release hundreds more prisoners early as inmate population reaches critical level

Prisons in Scotland are now critically full, leading to emergency measures being discussed.

Events

1 week ago NHS waiting lists update after Government pledge to cut them

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer pledged to slash NHS waiting lists

Politics

2 w. ago Edinburgh set for 200 new ‘extra care’ retirement homes to help relieve NHS pressures

“Scotland, like the rest of the UK, has an overwhelming demand to provide housing with care and services to a large and fast-growing older demographic” – Martin Stephenson

Events

2 w. ago Major report names Labour's 'best shot' at taking on Nigel Farage over small boats

A study by think-tank British Future called on Keir Starmer to pledge to cut small boat crossings by 75% in three years by adopting a 'bold' new strategy with France

Politics

2 w. ago UK overall inflation remains at 3.8% in August, but food price growth climbs for fifth month in a row

Food prices rise at fastest rate since January 2024 with vegetables, milk, cheese and fish going up; Bank of England expected to keep interest rates on hold on ThursdayAt 3.8%, the latest UK inflation data certainly isn’t welcome news for the Bank of England ahead of its decision on Thursday, where it’s widely expected to leave rates on hold, said James Smith, developed markets UK economist at ING.Yet the latest data doesn’t dramatically move the needle one way or another on the prospect of a further rate cut later this year.Inflation is more or less at a peak, though it’s likely to stay in the 3.5-4% area for the rest of this year.However, we think there is still scope for services inflation to undershoot the Bank’s forecasts further in the next release for September. And more broadly, we are seeing a significant easing in rental growth, which is set to be a significant source of service sector disinflation over the coming months.If we’re right about that, it would tip the balance ...

Economics

2 w. ago Google announces £5bn AI investment in UK before Trump visit

Rachel Reeves says move is a ‘vote of confidence’ in British economy as she prepares to open firm’s first UK datacentreBusiness live – latest updatesGoogle has said it will invest £5bn in the UK in the next two years to help meet growing demand for artificial intelligence services, in a boost for the government.The announcement, which comes as Google opens its new datacentre in Waltham Cross in Hertfordshire, is expected to contribute to the creation of thousands of jobs, the US tech company said. Continue reading...

Economics