The UK Pulse The Pulse of the UK

Edinburgh introduces 5% tourist tax as festival season begins

Edinburgh becomes the first Scottish city to introduce a 5% visitor levy on overnight stays, with funds expected to support housing, culture and policing.

8 min read

A bare-chested male street performer in front of a crowd on Edinburgh's Royal Mile.

US imposes tariffs on 60 partners over forced labour claims

The US will impose new tariffs of 10% to 12.5% on imports from around 60 trading partners, including the UK, EU, Canada, Japan and India, starting Friday.

1 min read

President Donald Trump pointing his finger. He has a serious look on his face and is wearing a blue suit with a white shirt and red tie.

Chalmers rules out gas tax as markets price in another rate hike

Jim Chalmers has ruled out a gas tax for now as stronger jobs data and higher oil prices push markets to price in another RBA rate hike.

5 min read

White House to announce next tariff steps as 10% duties near expiry

The White House says Jamieson Greer will announce the next stage of Donald Trump’s trade policy on Thursday as 10% global tariffs near expiry on Friday.

2 min read

EU fines Google €890m over self-preferencing app practices

Google has been fined €890m by the EU under the Digital Markets Act for allegedly favouring its own apps and services over rivals. The company has 60 days to comply or challenge the ruling.

4 min read

Oil prices hit $100 for first time since May

Oil prices climbed to $100 a barrel for the first time since May as Middle East tensions, Red Sea attacks and higher US strikes on Iran lifted supply fears.

1 min read

A driver refuels a vehicle at a Shell petrol station in Palo Alto, California, US

Alderney electricity bills to be subsidised as crude nears $100

Alderney electricity bills will be subsidised for the rest of the year if crude oil rises above $100 a barrel, with the States of Guernsey providing AEL £200,000.

3 min read

Aerial view of a coastal town with sandy beaches, rocky shoreline, turquoise bays, and patchwork fields stretching inland.

UK households can install plug-in balcony solar panels from 27 August

British households will be able to buy plug-in balcony solar panels from 27 August after a law change, allowing renters and flat owners to cut energy bills.

8 min read

Upper floor of a yellow building with a solar panel installed on the outside of a metal balcony.

Michelin-star chef says business rates cut is not enough

Birmingham chef Alex Claridge says a 20% business rates cut for pubs and venues will not fix the pressures facing independent restaurants.

4 min read

Portrait of a bearded person wearing a white T-shirt and necklace, standing in a kitchen or food-preparation area. Metal wire shelves behind the person hold several countertop appliances, mixing bowls, and containers. The image is lit with direct flash, creating strong shadows on the wall.

VAT cut to be applied to Manx electricity bills

VAT on domestic electricity bills in the Isle of Man will fall from 5% to 0% from 1 October, with a typical household expected to save about £50 a year.

3 min read

Electricity smart meter on a kitchen counter with a pot on a stove in the background.

Warren accuses Barclays of failing to probe Staley-Epstein ties

Elizabeth Warren and two US lawmakers have demanded answers from Barclays over its handling of former CEO Jes Staley’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

6 min read

Jes Staley arrives for a court hearing last year

UK millionaires urge Andy Burnham to tax them more

Gary Lineker, Brian Eno and 118 other wealthy Britons have written to new prime minister Andy Burnham urging higher taxes on the very richest, including a proposed 2% levy on wealth over £10m.