World of Business

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Oil and gas prices surge past $100 as Middle East conflict deepens, pushing up borrowing costs

Oil prices have surged above $100 a barrel and natural gas hit multi-year highs as US-Iran conflict intensifies, disrupting Middle East supplies. Rising energy costs are pushing up inflation fears and government bond yields to their highest levels since 2007, raising borrowing costs for governmen...

4 min read

Person wearing a black leather jacket filling up their car from the petrol pump

Trump doubles down on $5,000 dividend pledge as nation marks 25th 9/11 anniversary

Trump reiterated his $5,000 dividend pledge at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, defending the proposal as the nation marked the 25th anniversary of 9/11. The plan has drawn criticism from economists and Democrats over its $1.2 trillion annual cost and funding mechanisms.

7 min read

a man gives two thumbs up while on stage

SEC unveils £180m expansion with floating Clyde platform and new city quarter

Glasgow's SEC campus owners have unveiled £180 million expansion plans including a floating platform on the River Clyde and a new outdoor concert venue, transforming 64 acres of parking land into a vibrant urban district with shops, bars, and hotels.

4 min read

Artist's impression of the expanded SEC campus. The large. circular OVO Hydro music venue - lit up green - is prominent as is the nearby Armadillor music venue.

A circular platform, lit up, is sitting on the River Clyde.

Scotland's colleges face mounting deficits as funding fails to keep pace with costs

Scotland's 19 colleges face mounting financial pressure with a combined deficit of £5.6m in 2024-25, marking the third consecutive year of losses. Audit Scotland warns that funding cuts and rising costs threaten the sector's ability to serve students and employers.

5 min read

Uncapped tourist tax plan sparks hospitality job fears as mayors gain new levy powers

The government plans to give English mayors uncapped powers to impose overnight visitor levies on hotels and holiday lets. The hospitality industry warns the scheme could cost thousands of jobs and make UK holidays more expensive than European competitors.

5 min read

Primark launches home delivery service to expand online shopping

Primark is launching a home delivery service in Britain using a new Sheffield fulfilment facility, expanding its online presence four years after entering e-commerce with click-and-collect.

2 min read

Wealthy overseas buyers fuelling St Andrews housing affordability crisis

St Andrews faces an acute housing affordability crisis as overseas investment and wealthy buyers drive property prices beyond reach of locals. Nearly one in five properties were registered to non-Scottish addresses, with 164 from the US alone.

9 min read

A birds eye view of St Andrews with a ruined cathedral next to the sea in the foreground, and the rest of the town in the background

Heating Oil Dilemma: Families Weigh Timing as Prices Surge Past 97p Per Litre

Families relying on heating oil face a difficult choice as prices surge 85% in a year. With no price cap protection and costs exceeding £970 per tank, many are rationing heat or seeking government support that may not cover them.

6 min read

A man with light brown hair wearing a short-sleeved blue and white striped shirt stands outside by a black heating oil tank with its round lid open. In his hand he is holding a dipstick and checking the level of oil in the tank. A sign on the tank reads: This tank is alarmed.

TUC urges bank tax to fund energy bill cuts for millions of households

The TUC has called for a bank surcharge tax to fund energy bill discounts for two-thirds of households. The proposal would raise £9bn over four years and could save low-income families up to £559 annually.

6 min read

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak sitting in his office. He is pictured in a grey suit and white shirt, worn without a tie. Behind him is a desk and a poster with the phrase Solidarity Forever! on it.

Treasury's $6bn bond buyback fails to stem market selloff as yields keep rising

The US Treasury's $6 billion bond buyback announcement has failed to stem rising yields, as inflation concerns and geopolitical tensions continue to spook investors. The 30-year yield hit 5.2%, the highest since 2008, while government debt surpassed $34 trillion for the first time.

5 min read

BBC chief warns of 'bare cupboard' as strike threat looms over pay dispute

BBC director general Matt Brittin has acknowledged a serious prospect of strikes as staff reject a 2.1% pay offer and the corporation pursues plans to eliminate up to 2,000 jobs. He warned that the BBC's financial position leaves no room for larger pay increases without deeper job cuts.

5 min read

Matt Brittin speaks to members of the press in London.

Share Energy to raise Northern Ireland electricity bills by 12.6%

Share Energy will increase electricity prices by 12.6% from 1 October 2026, adding about £129 to typical annual bills. The Northern Ireland supplier joins competitors in raising charges due to volatile wholesale costs and geopolitical instability.

4 min read

A man's hand switching on a white light switch.

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