3 h. ago NHS dentistry facing ‘existential crisis’ with more practices going private amid tax hike

The warning comes as the Liberal Democrats urge the government to exempt the health and social care sector from the April hike to National Insurance contributions, which will cost the sector £3 billion in the next financial year

Economics

11 h. ago Surge in car sales as buyers try to beat looming deadline before £3,000 tax hike

Buyers of electric cars have enjoyed no road tax until now - but all that is changing and the costs will begin to spiral

Economics

13 h. ago Services firms slash jobs at fastest rate since 2020 as companies brace for Labour's tax hikes amid slowdown

The closely-watched S&P Global UK services PMI showed the economy effectively flatlining last month, with a score of 51.

Economics

14 h. ago Edinburgh law firm announces forum to drive innovation in financial services regulation

Edinburgh-based law firm Vialex has committed to support the launch of a RegTech Leadership Forum designed to boost collaboration and the adoption of regulatory technology in financial services and FinTech.

Economics

17 h. ago Service sector job cuts speed up as firms brace for tax rises

Companies face growing costs when the minimum wage and employer taxes rise at the start of the new financial year in April.

Economics

17 h. ago While our eyes are on the welfare state’s destruction, Trump is building a police state | Judith Levine

Republicans aren’t simply shrinking the government. They’re investing billions in defense, border control and prisonsLast week, the federal human resources department sent out a seven-page memo ordering agencies to submit detailed plans on how they will work with the so-called “department of government efficiency” (Doge) to slash their payrolls. To do this, they were to eliminate whole job categories – except one. Untouchable were positions “necessary to meet law enforcement, border security, national security, immigration enforcement, or public safety responsibilities”.While we’ve had our eyes on the wrecking ball–Doge pulverizing social services, environmental protection and scientific research, we’ve hardly taken notice of what is being constructed. In the footprint of the already shabby, now half-demolished US welfare state, the Trump administration is building a police state. Continue reading...

Politics

26 h. ago Fury as Orkney Council set to increase council tax bills by an eyewatering 15%

Orkney Island residents have been left reeling after their local council confirmed its intention to hike council tax by a jaw-dropping 15 per cent in what is one of the nation's largest rises.

Economics

27 h. ago The Scottish authority that has hiked council tax by record 15% as SNP minister makes 'big bang' claim

The decision by Orkney comes after sharp council tax rises were agreed by a host of councils across Scotland, including Edinburgh and Glasgow

Politics

39 h. ago Renfrewshire firm ordered to improve at home care service by inspectors

The service – based at Mirren Court in Paisley – needs to improve how it administers medication after a recent inspection flagged issues.

Politics

54 h. ago Trump says ‘no room left’ to avoid massive tax hikes on Canadian and Mexican imports

Trump has said he thinks foreign countries pay the import taxes, which are actually borne by American importers and consumers

Politics

6 d. ago Social Security Administration could lay off up to 50% of its workforce, source says – live

Social Security Administration expected to lay off at least 7,000 people, but a source tells Associated Press reduction could be as high as 50%As Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk work zealously to slash tens of billions in federal spending by axing thousands of jobs and gutting some government agencies, Musk faces mounting claims he has conflicts of interest and no oversight, legal and ethics experts say.Trump’s largest campaign donor and the world’s wealthiest man, Musk was tapped by the president to lead the so-called “department of government efficiency” (Doge) in a radical and opaque cost-cutting drive that allows him to keep control of SpaceX, Tesla and other huge companies with billions of dollars in federal contracts.We expect that today’s meeting will be the first in a series of such expert consultations that will bring us closer to overcoming the disagreements that have arisen with the American side, strengthening confidence-building measures. Continue reading...

Events

6 d. ago Democrat slams tariffs announcement: ‘Trump is driving the US economy straight into a wall’ – live

Ron Wyden, ranking member of Senate finance committee, says tariffs on neighboring countries will be felt by Americans and called it a betrayal to Trump’s votersTrump threatens China with additional 10% tariff in escalation of trade warAs Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk work zealously to slash tens of billions in federal spending by axing thousands of jobs and gutting some government agencies, Musk faces mounting claims he has conflicts of interest and no oversight, legal and ethics experts say.Trump’s largest campaign donor and the world’s wealthiest man, Musk was tapped by the president to lead the so-called “department of government efficiency” (Doge) in a radical and opaque cost-cutting drive that allows him to keep control of SpaceX, Tesla and other huge companies with billions of dollars in federal contracts.We expect that today’s meeting will be the first in a series of such expert consultations that will bring us closer to overcoming the disagreements that have a...

Politics

6 d. ago Stirling councillors agree 8.8 per cent council tax hike as budget discussions get underway

Stirling Council today approved a council tax rise of almost nine per cent as councillors agree the budget for the coming year.

Economics

6 d. ago Trump says tariffs for Mexico, Canada, and China to go into effect next week – live

US president blames illegal drugs from Mexico and Canada as reason for tariffs going into effect on 4 March; China to be charged an additional 10% As Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk work zealously to slash tens of billions in federal spending by axing thousands of jobs and gutting some government agencies, Musk faces mounting claims he has conflicts of interest and no oversight, legal and ethics experts say.Trump’s largest campaign donor and the world’s wealthiest man, Musk was tapped by the president to lead the so-called “department of government efficiency” (Doge) in a radical and opaque cost-cutting drive that allows him to keep control of SpaceX, Tesla and other huge companies with billions of dollars in federal contracts.We expect that today’s meeting will be the first in a series of such expert consultations that will bring us closer to overcoming the disagreements that have arisen with the American side, strengthening confidence-building measures. Continue readin...

Politics

6 d. ago Full list of cars from brands like Audi, Ford, BMW and Range Rover facing £2,745 car tax hike in April

Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rates will rise from from April 2025 after the autumm

Economics

7 d. ago Full list of 59 petrol and diesel cars to face £2,745 car tax hike in April 2025

Cars from 24 brands, including popular manufacturers such as Ford, BMW and Mercedes, are set to face a massive increase

Economics

7 d. ago Renfrewshire residents face 9.5 per cent hike in council tax – if SNP budget passes this week

The proposed rise will be discussed on Thursday as elected members meet to pore over spending plans for 2025/26.

Economics

8 d. ago Battle lines drawn as peers demand exemptions from employers’ tax hike

The House of Lords inflicted a string of defeats against the Labour front bench, paving the way for a parliamentary tussle.

Events

9 d. ago DVLA loophole will help drivers of these cars avoid upcoming tax hike

By renewing early drivers could save hundreds of pounds.

Transport

9 d. ago Popular coffee chain faces backlash over charging customers a 'sickness tax' as it hikes prices at hospital branches

Research conducted by The Sun found that a small latte or cappuccino costs £3.60 in Newcastle's Northumberland Street but £3.80 at nearby hospital, Medivest's Royal Victoria Infirmary.

Economics