21 h. ago UK government considers rescue package for second major steel plant

Exclusive: Speciality Steel UK, which employs 1,450 people in South Yorkshire, could be supported if it enters administrationMinisters are considering options to step in to save another major steel plant if its parent company collapses into administration after a key court case next week.The business secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, is understood to be looking at what the government can do to support Speciality Steel UK (SSUK) – part of the Liberty Steel Group owned by Sanjeev Gupta – should it be faced with possible closure after Wednesday’s insolvency hearing. Continue reading...

Events

36 h. ago Donald Trump visit to Scotland will have 'considerable' costs for police as top cop asks for Government help

The US President is expected to fly in during the last week of July to make appearances at his two luxury golf resorts in South Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire.

Politics

36 h. ago Police Scotland to seek Government help with ‘considerable’ costs of Trump visit

The US President is expected to make a visit to Scotland this month.

Politics

61 h. ago UK government’s deal with Google ‘dangerously naive’, say campaigners

Company to provide free technology and ‘upskill’ civil servants but concerns raised over UK data being held on US serversGoogle has agreed a sweeping deal with the UK government to provide free technology to the public sector from the NHS to local councils– a move campaigners have called “dangerously naive”.The US company will be asked to “upskill” tens of thousands of civil servants in technology, including in using artificial intelligence, as part of an agreement which will not require the government to pay. It is considered in Whitehall to be giving Google “a foot in the door” as the digitisation of public services accelerates. Continue reading...

Politics

65 h. ago Poor mental health is driving young people out of their jobs. My own journey showed me how to help | Fran Boait

We need to confront the social conditions that impact them – and the toxic workplaces they’re trying to push back againstLast month, new figures showed that one in four young people in England have a mental health condition. An unwillingness to examine the challenging social and economic conditions – from housing insecurity to financial concerns – means there can be a tendency to explain this rise as a result of overdiagnosis, although there is little evidence for this claim. Clinicians cite the criteria for diagnosis to show that overreporting is not substantiated – if anything, the severity of reported conditions has increased, in part due to a reduced stigma resulting in more people seeking help.Young people with poor mental health are nearly five times more likely to be out of work, and there is a growing understanding that inadequate support around young people’s mental health in the workplace is driving them to leave or consider leaving their job. In response, the government h...

Society

66 h. ago Scrap jury trials for fraud and sex assault cases to stop ‘total collapse’ of system, report suggests

The government is considering sweeping court reforms proposed in a review by Sir Brian Leveson

Events

3 d. ago Trials by jury could be scrapped for fraud and sexual assault cases in radical reforms to tackle court backlog

The government is considering sweeping court reforms proposed in a review by Sir Brian Leveson

Events

6 d. ago Government considers cancer warnings on alcohol as NHS plan targets drink

A ten-year plan for the NHS recommends introducing warning labels on alcohol products

Events

9 d. ago Lifeline for Alexander Dennis workers as SNP Government considers furlough scheme

More than 400 staff could lose their jobs if the bus manufacturer proceeds with a plan to close factories in Scotland and switch production to England.

Politics

1 week ago Afghan resettlement schemes to close to new applications under rule changes

A Government document shows how the Defence Secretary considers the schemes have fulfilled their purpose so that defence efforts can be re-focused.

Politics

1 week ago Future of legendary British carmaker in crisis as Business Secretary holds last

British sportscar marque Lotus will hold crisis talks with the UK government after its Chinese owner was reported to be considering manufacturing the vehicle in the US instead

Events

2 w. ago Government considers hiking price of alcohol and banning adverts

Changes to the rules on alcohol in the UK will be included in a new health plan

Politics

2 w. ago Advertising ban could move alcohol out the spotlight and cut harm – campaigners

Reports suggest the initiative is being considered for the Government’s forthcoming 10-Year Health Plan.

Politics

2 w. ago Madam 'disappointed' as NATO summit leaders can't get to prostitutes due to 'high security'

Escort agencies say they always have a surge in demand during major conferences like the NATO summit, but a ring of steel erected around hotels has made it harder for them to do business this year

Politics

2 w. ago Labour minister suggests UK Government could copy Scottish Child Payment

Employment minister Alison McGovern said "all levers are very much on the table" when asked if her government was considering raising the child element of universal credit to the same rate as the SCP.

Politics

3 w. ago Salary secrets: pay transparency is great – until you hear what your slacker colleague earns

In the UK, a new era of pay openness could be about to begin. It is undoubtedly a positive step, but water-cooler discussions could be about to get considerably more messy Name: Pay transparency.Age: Merely a twinkle in government ministers’ eyes. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago Rail deal worth £500m will help save Scunthorpe steelworks, says minister

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is visiting the Scunthorpe plant to finalise a major rail steel deal between Network Rail and British Steel.

Economics

3 w. ago Campaigners consider legal action against Scottish government after supreme court gender ruling

For Women Scotland says public discussion around legal definition of women has shifted to debates about toilets policyFor Women Scotland, the group responsible for April’s landmark supreme court ruling on biological sex, is considering further legal action against the Scottish government as they warned the key motivation for bringing the case was being lost amid debates about policy on toilets.At a fringe event at the Scottish Conservative conference in Edinburgh, the gender critical campaign group’s co-director Susan Smith said there had been “extraordinary pushback” since five judges ruled unanimously that the legal definition of a woman in the Equality Act 2010 did not include transgender women who hold gender recognition certificates. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Women Scotland group mulls more legal action after UK supreme court gender ruling

Campaigners say they have spoken to Scottish government about lack of action on prisons and schools guidance amid focus on toiletsFor Women Scotland, the group responsible for April’s landmark supreme court ruling on biological sex, is considering further legal action against the Scottish government as they warned the key motivation for bringing the case was being lost amid debates about policy on toilets.At a fringe event at the Scottish Conservative conference in Edinburgh, the gender critical campaign group’s co-director Susan Smith said there had been “extraordinary pushback” since five judges ruled unanimously that the legal definition of a woman in the Equality Act 2010 did not include transgender women who hold gender recognition certificates. Continue reading...

Events