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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

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

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

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

Google commits €13bn to Finland's AI infrastructure with nuclear power deal

Google announces a record €13bn investment in Finland's AI infrastructure, including three new data centres and a 22-year nuclear power agreement with Fortum. The deal marks Google's largest single European investment and is expected to create 37,000 construction jobs.

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

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

to eliminate 340 jobs by year-end in sweeping restructure

announced it will cut 340 jobs by the end of 2026, eliminating 28% of its workforce. The cuts, the largest in the broadcaster's history, are part of a transformation programme aimed at redirecting more funding toward original British content amid competition from streaming services and ...

5 min read

Petrol prices surge 5p in a week as Middle East tensions push oil to $100

Unleaded petrol has jumped 5p per litre to 167.17p in a week, the largest weekly rise since April, as Middle East tensions push Brent crude to $100 per barrel. The RAC warns drivers face continued upward pressure on fuel costs.

4 min read