Scotland / In focus
Junk food promotion limits take effect in Scottish shops
From 1 October, larger retailers can no longer place sugary drinks, sweets and similar foods at entrances, checkouts and aisle ends, in store or online.
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Scotland at heart. The world in view.Verified sources · Original summaries
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UK
VAT removed from household electricity bills
The UK Government says the tax cut keeps the energy price cap about £45 a year lower than it would otherwise have been.
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World
Fighting in Yemen drives surge in hunger, WFP warns
Nearly 150,000 people have been displaced along the south-west coast, and three in four households in accessible areas cannot meet basic needs.
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Scotland
All Scotland
Scotland
Most Scottish firms worried about energy and fuel prices, survey finds
Official survey data shows falling demand and energy costs top business concerns for October, with around three in four firms worried about energy prices.
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Scotland
Minister presses UK Government over postal services on Scottish islands
A letter cites Consumer Scotland findings on inconsistent service and high delivery surcharges in island communities.
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Scotland
Caithness distiller recalls summer cup liqueur over undeclared sulphites
Food Standards Scotland says Rock Rose Gin Summer Cup Liqueur should not be drunk by anyone sensitive to sulphites.
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Scotland
Two new members appointed to Children’s Reporter board
Former Glasgow City Council leader Nigel Rooke and former Police Scotland officer Edward Seery join the SCRA board for four years.
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Scotland
Seventeen Scottish university projects share £2.92m spinout funding
Research teams at seven universities will receive support to explore the commercial potential of their work, the Scottish Government says.
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Scotland
Winter heating support: what Scotland has announced for 2026
The Scottish Government expects around 1.4 million heating benefit payments this winter, with different start dates across its schemes.
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Scotland
Scotland’s new-home completions fall 11% in latest annual figures
Official statistics show just over 17,000 new homes were completed in the year to June 2026.
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Scotland
Montrose port investment targets offshore wind manufacturing
A planned facility for floating-wind components is expected to bring around 80 jobs, according to the Scottish Government.
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UK
All UK
UK
Airlines must seat young children with a parent free of charge
New rules announced on 2 October end paid seat selection for parents flying with children under 14 and allow free correction of simple name errors.
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UK
New vaping duty of £2.20 per 10ml comes into force
All vaping liquids made in or imported into the UK are now subject to excise duty, with duty stamps being phased in.
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UK
Safety alert issued over hooded and armless baby sleeping bags
The product safety regulator warns that some baby sleeping bags carry a risk of overheating and suffocation.
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UK
Digital waste tracking goes live at 12,000 sites in England
Permitted waste sites must now report every load they receive in near real time, as ministers target illegal dumping.
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UK
Hinkley Point B handed over for decommissioning
The Somerset nuclear station has transferred from EDF to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, with around 250 staff moving across.
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UK
UK announces 31 new sanctions against Russia
The package targets LNG shadow fleet vessels, disinformation networks and people accused of torturing Ukrainian civilians and indoctrinating children.
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UK
New restriction zones and tagging rules for offenders leaving prison
The Ministry of Justice says high-risk offenders in England and Wales can now be confined to areas a few miles wide and banned from pubs and events.
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UK
UK sets out winter preparedness plans, including flood defences in England
The government says more than 600 flood defence projects are being delivered in England and plans a public campaign on emergency preparedness.
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UK
New Information Commission takes over UK data regulator’s functions
The UK government says the change alters the regulator’s governance while retaining its existing data-protection powers.
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World
All World
World
Ebola response hit as transit centre burns in DR Congo camp
The fire in Ituri province came as thousands fled the Kigonze displacement camp, the UN says.
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World
UN General Assembly debates Security Council veto on Iran
China and Russia vetoed a US-backed sanctions panel on Iran’s nuclear facilities, triggering a mandatory Assembly meeting.
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World
UN rights office calls for justice over Marshall Islands nuclear tests
The deputy rights chief said the legacy of 67 US tests still affects Marshallese health and land.
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World
UN warns 5.8 million refugee children remain out of school
A UN refugee agency report says education funding cuts risk reversing progress for children displaced by conflict and persecution.
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World
Nepal floods disrupted work beyond the disaster zone, ILO says
The UN labour agency warns damage to transport, power and trade links can affect workers far from the flooded area.
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Politics
All Politics
Politics
New edition of the Scottish Ministerial Code published
The 2026 code sets out the standards of conduct expected of Scottish ministers, with a foreword from the First Minister stressing integrity and openness.
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Politics
Holyrood committee conveners set out scrutiny sessions with First Minister
The Scottish Parliament scheduled public sessions bringing together its committee conveners and the First Minister.
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Business
All Business
Business
North Lanarkshire author explores AI’s role in marketing in new book
Dr Gaetano Lo Presti’s Artificial Intelligence in Contemporary Marketing is scheduled for worldwide publication on 22 October.
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Business
UK private rents rose 3.8% in year to August, ONS estimates
The latest official release puts average monthly UK private rent at £1,400, while Scotland’s average was £1,013.
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Culture
All Culture
Culture
Free Traces of Empire exhibition opens in Coatbridge on 4 October
A three-week community exhibition at Summerlee Museum will share North Lanarkshire stories of migration, memory and belonging.
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Culture
Culture organisations give evidence ahead of Scotland’s 2027–28 Budget
The Scottish Parliament’s culture committee listed arts and heritage leaders for a pre-Budget evidence session.
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Environment
All Environment
Environment
Scottish climate strategy calls for a bigger community voice
A new public-engagement strategy sets out an ambition for local people to help shape climate and nature decisions.
· 2 min read
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