27 h. ago ‘A classic authoritarian tactic’: outrage over Trump’s pardons for friends and allies

Ex-prosecutors and legal scholars say US president ‘meting out pardons for blatantly corrupt and self-serving ends’Donald Trump’s unprecedented pardoning spree for political and business friends since returning to the White House has prompted warnings from ex-prosecutors and legal scholars of “corrupt” pay-to-play schemes, conflicts of interest and blatant partisanship.It has included hundreds of Maga allies, a cryptocurrency mogul with ties to a Trump family crypto firm, disgraced politicians, and others who could yield political and financial benefits. Continue reading...

Politics

63 h. ago The financial firms who promise to help build your credit history but don’t

CUSTOMERS looking to improve their credit score should avoid using certain credit builder products, the FCA has warned. Over 1.5million Brits have used these services in the hopes of boosting their score but findings by the watchdog suggest they may not always be effective. Your credit score gives an overall picture of how responsible you...

Economics

8 d. ago Another Scot sets sights on becoming DP World Tour card holder

Calum Fyfe determined to build on promising season by making step up to main tour in 12 months’ time

Politics

1 week ago Renfrewshire Council confirms it wants to close schools in Johnstone

A paper — to be considered by councillors at today’s children services and education policy board — makes no reference to a new-build Thorn Primary School as previously promised.

Politics

1 week ago Red Flag Alert: Why Scotland is seeing more firms in financial distress than the rest of the UK

“It is extremely worrying to see financial distress rising across almost all sectors, and, in many cases, Scotland appears to be faring worse than other parts of the UK” – Thomas McKay, Begbies Traynor

Economics

2 w. ago Major £25,000 hike to bank protection rules set to land within WEEKS – here’s how you’ll benefit

MILLIONS of people with savings in UK bank accounts will soon have more of their cash protected.  The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), which oversees banking in the UK, proposed increasing the amount of savings that are protected if a financial firm goes bust to up to £110,000 in March. If you put money into a bank, building...

Economics

2 w. ago £283m in redress paid by financial services firms dealing with complaints

The Financial Conduct Authority released complaints figures for the first half of 2025.

Economics

2 w. ago Once the AI bubble pops, we’ll all suffer. Could that be better than letting it grow unabated?

The world will be pushed into a recession, but perhaps we can build something more promising from the piecesThe world economy hinges on the success or failure of artificial intelligence. It’s becoming apparent that we are probably doomed either way.Employment growth is stuck and wage growth is slowing, especially among low-paying jobs. Loan delinquencies are rising, driving an increase in bankruptcies. Consumer confidence has collapsed. And reckless policymaking is taking its toll. Donald Trump’s trade war is cutting farmers’ access to the Chinese market and manufacturers’ access to Chinese rare-earth magnets. His clampdown on migration is hitting access to labor, from agriculture to healthcare. The drawn-out government shutdown is starting to sap economic growth. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago English universities can raise tuition fees if they meet ‘tough’ standards, says Phillipson

Measure, which will allow increase in line with inflation, is part of white paper on post-16 education and skillsUniversity tuition fees in England are to rise in line with inflation, but only for institutions that meet “tough new quality thresholds”, the government has announced.In an attempt to put the higher education sector on a firmer financial footing, all institutions will benefit from increased fees for the next two academic years, starting next September, the education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, told MPs on Monday. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago What is private credit, and should we be worried by the collapse of US firms?

First Brands and Tricolor failures raise concerns for wider financial sector, including traditional banksThe collapse of two US firms, First Brands and Tricolor, has shone a light on private credit and its growing influence in the global economy.The failures have led to ballooning losses at traditional banks, and, coupled with worries about the health of US regional banks, have raised concerns about weak lending standards and potential threats from an opaque corner of the so-called shadow banking sector. Continue reading...

Economics