The UK Pulse The Pulse of the UK

Can paper packaging work without glue or labels?

Europe is tightening paper recycling rules, pushing firms like Fraunhofer, Hermann Ultraschall and Henkel to develop glue-free or recyclable sealing solutions.

7 min read

A woman in a high-biz vest sorts paper on a recycling line

Cracker Barrel CEO Julie Masino to step down after rebrand backlash

Cracker Barrel said CEO Julie Masino will leave in August after backlash over a rebrand, with David Deno taking over. Shares fell more than 2% after the announcement.

3 min read

Survey says islanders’ real incomes are down 12% since 2018/19

A survey of more than 2,000 people says average income in Guernsey is 12% lower in real terms than in 2018/19, while spending and savings pressures remain significant.

2 min read

A picture taken from above looking down at the houses and greenland. There is boat and the harbour in the distance.

AstraZeneca chief urges drugmakers to move at ‘Chinese speed’

Pascal Soriot said AstraZeneca and other western drugmakers must move at “Chinese speed” to avoid falling behind more innovative rivals, while the company reported first-half 2026 revenue up 6%.

4 min read

Oil falls as US and Iran pause attacks

Oil prices fell sharply after the US and Iran paused attacks, with Brent crude dropping more than 9% as markets weighed hopes for talks against ongoing uncertainty.

4 min read

A petrol pump nozzle being inserted into a car's petrol tank

Businessman and philanthropist Sir Ian Wood dies aged 84

Aberdeen businessman and philanthropist Sir Ian Wood has died aged 84. His family said he died peacefully at home and remembered his kindness, generosity and commitment.

1 min read

Sir Ian Wood in a shirt and tie, smiling

Oil falls below $90 as US-Iran tensions ease; AstraZeneca beats forecasts

Oil slipped below $90 a barrel as US-Iran tensions eased, while Vodafone, DCC Energy, Shein and AstraZeneca all reported major updates.

6 min read

A ship off the port of Aden, July 23, 2026

Nissan repair delay puts driving instructor’s livelihood at risk

A self-employed driving instructor in Eastbourne says Nissan’s repair delays left him paying for a car he could not use and forced him to hire a replacement vehicle.

3 min read

Shein posts quarterly loss as US trade rules hit sales

Shein reported a quarterly loss after US tariff changes hit sales, while also outlining plans for a Hong Kong listing and noting pressure from the Iran war.

4 min read

Peolep walking past a bus stop advertising for Chinese e-commerce fashion company Shein on 11 July 2026 in London.

Would you take £50,000 now or a 50/50 shot at £1m?

A YouGov survey found 73% would take £50,000 now rather than a 50/50 chance of £1m, with women especially likely to choose the guaranteed cash.

3 min read

Smiling woman looks at a wad of banknotes with the camera looking from below.

Northern Ireland home heating oil prices jump £100 in three weeks

Northern Ireland home heating oil prices have risen sharply, with the average cost of 500 litres up nearly £99 in three weeks as households worry about winter bills.

2 min read