12 h. ago Keeping primary school tests will hit pupil wellbeing, teaching union warns as it urges government rethink on SATs

Three in four primary school teachers surveyed said the decision to broadly retain primary school statutory assessments such as Sats will worsen pupil wellbeing and engagement.

Events

33 h. ago Scotland's Finance Secretary lays out demands ahead of 'chaotic and uncertain' Budget

Shona Robison urged the UK Government to deliver more funding for Scotland’s public services.

Economics

4 d. ago UK government insists it is ‘taking time to get this right’ on single

Labour accused of delaying new rules to avoid backlash, after leak of EHRC guidance saying trans people could be questioned based on looksThe UK government has insisted it will take as much time as necessary to “get right” new rules on access to single-sex spaces after a leak of guidance submitted by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) raised concerns that its publication was being deliberately delayed.The equalities watchdog submitted its formal guidance on how public bodies, businesses and other service providers should respond to April’s landmark supreme court ruling on biological sex to the UK government in September. Since then, its outgoing chair, Kishwer Falkner, has urged the equalities minister, Bridget Phillipson, to approve it “as soon as possible”. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago UN to hear human rights complaint over New Zealand’s treatment of Māori

UN committee to consider claim by prominent Māori leader Tureiti Moxon that alleges government policies have harmed Indigenous people The United Nations has agreed to hear an urgent complaint against New Zealand’s coalition government alleging it is responsible for significant and persistent discrimination against Māori.Prominent Māori leader, Lady Tureiti Moxon, has filed the complaint to the UN’s committee for the convention on the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination (CERD). Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Forbes makes plea to UK Government after closure plans for ‘cornerstone’ plant

Scottish Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes urged the UK Government to ‘consider what more they can do’ for workers at ExxonMobil’s Mossmorran site.

Politics

5 d. ago MSP urges ExxonMobil to work with governments to avert Mossmorran closure

ExxonMobil announced the site would close on Tuesday.

Politics

6 d. ago SNP urges UK Government to intervene to save jobs at Fife plant

Stephen Flynn claimed oil and gas jobs are being ‘pushed off a cliff’ in Scotland.

Politics

8 d. ago Serious 'act now' alcohol warning for anyone who gets hangovers after drinking

The government is urging people to 'know the signs' in a fresh alert

Events

1 week ago New calls to scrap Basic State Pension and pay everyone equal amounts

The UK Government is being urged to move everyone to the New State Pension and increase the weekly payment rates.

Economics

1 week ago British Gas boss claims Labour's Net Zero push could make bills unaffordable

Chris O'Shea, the chief executive of Centrica, which owns the supplier British Gas, urged the Government to strike a balance between green energy and affordable bills.

Economics

1 week ago Despite America’s absence, Trump’s influence looms large over Cop30

In this week’s newsletter: Fear of retribution from the unpredictable president has left climate summit negotiators feeling nervous and vulnerable• Don’t get Down to Earth delivered to your inbox? Sign up hereUnder Donald Trump, America has not only jettisoned any effort to deal with the climate crisis, but has also attempted to stymie moves by other nations to shift to cleaner forms of energy, such as solar and wind.The climate crisis is “the greatest con job perpetrated by the world”, Trump told the UN in September, urging other governments to stick to oil and gas (preferably drilled in the US, of course) and ditch the “scam” of renewable energy.World still on track for catastrophic 2.6C temperature rise, report findsFossil fuel projects around the world threaten the health of 2bn peopleChina’s CO2 emissions have been flat or falling for past 18 months, analysis findsCalifornia governor calls Trump ‘an invasive species’ at Cop30 climate talksTussles break out between protesters an...

Politics

1 week ago UK exports to US hit lowest level since January 2022 as tariffs bite – business live

New economic data shows fall in UK exports to the US, as Britain’s economy shrinks in SeptemberChancellor Rachel Reeves is harking back to the happier days of stronger growth in the first two quarters of this year.Responding to this morning’s GDP figures, Reeves says:“We had the fastest-growing economy in the G7 in the first half of the year, but there’s more to do to build an economy that works for working people.At my Budget later this month, I will take the fair decisions to build a strong economy that helps us to continue to cut waiting lists, cut the national debt and cut the cost of living.” Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago 'Extortionate and pernicious': Dua Lipa and other stars urge UK Government to honour ticket pricing pledge

38 artists have called for Keir Starmer to commit to Labour’s manifesto and curb secondary ticket sales from reaching “extortionate” prices

Politics

1 week ago Trump signs bill ending longest government shutdown in history which disrupted air travel and food benefits for millions

The signing comes after the government was shut down for almost 43 days and the president urged senators to end the filibuster if the gridlocked negotiations didn’t move forward

Politics

1 week ago Biggest names in music urge UK government to honour cap on ticket resale prices

The statement highlights how resale platforms have allowed touts to bulk buy and resell tickets at inflated prices, forcing fans to either pay above the odds or miss out entirely

Politics

1 week ago SoftBank shares dive after Nvidia sale puts AI valuations in spotlight – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as investors ponder AI valuations and SoftBank’s growing funding demands for OpenAIJapan’s government is growing anxious about its weakening currency.The yen, which has been generally weakening since the start of October, is approaching the significant level of ¥155 to the dollar, a point where Toyko has intervened in the markets before“We’re seeing one-sided, rapid currency moves of late.The government is watching for any excessive and disorderly moves with a high sense of urgency.”The reopening of the U.S. government has been a bittersweet elixir for the greenback.On one hand, risk is back on — stocks have caught a second wind, buybacks are flowing, and high-beta FX like AUD are catching the same tailwinds that power stocks. On the other hand, the same optimism that revives equity appetite also reawakens the yen’s old nemesis: carry.“We have delivered a resilient performance thanks to the hard work of our teams on the gro...

Economics

1 week ago STV faces chaos before Christmas as staff prepare to strike over 60 job cuts

STV could be thrown into chaos before Christmas as staff prepare to strike over proposals to cut 60 jobs. The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has launched a strike ballot after STV bosses admitted the broadcaster lost £200,000 before tax in the first half of 2025 and is scrambling to save cash. Union chiefs say...

Events

1 week ago John Swinney accused of 'deceiving public' and told to clarify SNP defence position

Labour MP Graeme Downie has urged the First Minister to provide clarity over whether the Scottish Government supports defence investment.

Politics

1 week ago Rachel Reeves gives strongest sign yet she WILL break Labour's manifesto vows on tax at Budget

Chancellor Rachel Reeves suggested the only way she could keep the promises not to increase income tax, national insurance or VAT was to cut investment - something she has ruled out.

Economics

2 w. ago How does salary sacrifice work and is this handy pension perk under threat in the Budget?

Reeves looks set to cap the sum workers can pay into pensions via salary sacrifice without incurring national insurance contributions.

Economics