Download IPFS West Oxfordshire District Council has appointed Cotswold Markets Ltd to oversee the historic charter markets in Witney and Chipping Norton, with the transition set to begin on 1 August. This move signals a fresh approach to revitalising these cherished local institutions, which have long served as cornerstones of[Read More…]

Download IPFS Falmouth Docks has reached a pivotal stage in its ambitious redevelopment plans, with A&P Falmouth and Falmouth Docks and Engineering Company (FDEC) submitting a critical marine licence application to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO). This milestone, alongside a full planning application with Cornwall Council (PA25/01598), signals the most[Read More…]

Download IPFS Somerset Council has launched an ambitious Local Transport Plan (LTP), outlining a vision for reshaping transport across the county over the next two decades. The strategy, published this week, aims to deliver a more connected, safer, and environmentally conscious transport network, tailored to the county’s diverse urban and[Read More…]

Download IPFS British consumer confidence took a significant hit last month, marking the steepest decline since 2022, according to a recent Deloitte survey. The findings reveal growing unease among households, driven by fears over job security and the persistent burden of rising living costs. Deloitte’s consumer confidence index fell by[Read More…]

Download IPFS The recently signed India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) has opened a £94 billion public procurement market to Indian firms, granting them non-discriminatory access to UK government contracts. This landmark deal, described as a significant step in bilateral trade, ensures Indian suppliers can compete on equal footing[Read More…]

Download IPFS India’s global trade strategy is gaining momentum following the finalisation in July 2025 of the India‑UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CEPA), marking a major bilateral milestone. Negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union began in June 2022. Twelve rounds have now been held,[Read More…]

Download IPFS US President Donald Trump arrived in Scotland yesterday, greeted by hundreds of supporters at Prestwick Airport. His visit, combining a golfing retreat at his Turnberry resort with high-stakes diplomacy, comes as talks over a potential US-EU trade agreement enter an advanced phase. The trip also includes bilateral talks[Read More…]

Download IPFS Seven of Britain’s leading business groups, including the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), the British Retail Consortium (BRC), and UK Hospitality, among the ‘Big Five’ organisations, have urged MPs to back a range of House of Lords amendments to the Employment Rights Bill. These groups, representing a broad[Read More…]

Download IPFS In a pragmatic move, the Government has approved a joint request from Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness councils to postpone a proposed mayoral election originally slated for May 2026. The delay, which could push the vote to May 2027, is expected to save taxpayers an estimated £1 million[Read More…]

Download IPFS On 24 July 2025, India and the United Kingdom signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) in London, marking one of India’s most expansive trade pacts to date. Signed by India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and UK Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, with Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Keir Starmer[Read More…]