Day: April 1, 2026

Domestic implications of Middle East conflict for Scotland

Resilience Room meets to discuss impacts on goods and services

The Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGoRR) met last night (Tuesday 31st March) to consider the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on Scotland’s people and businesses.

The meeting included discussion on the potential impacts on the supply and price of various goods and services, including energy, food and fuel.

It was chaired by First Minister John Swinney and attended by the Deputy First Minister, the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice & Home Affairs, the Cabinet Secretary for Health & Social Care, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands and the Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans.

The First Minister said: “The impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East on people and businesses in Scotland is becoming more significant by the day.

“As concerns continue to grow across our communities and sectors, I convened SGoRR to assess the situation in detail and to consider what further engagement, support, or actions may be required from the Scottish Government, our partners and others in the days and weeks ahead.”

National Living Wage increases to £12.71 per hour

New minimum wage rates come into force from 1 April, following Low Pay Commission recommendations

Increased rates of the National Minimum Wage, including the National Living wage came into force from 1 April 2026. These rates bring into effect recommendations made by the Low Pay Commission last autumn.

The new rates are set out in the table below:

NMW Rate from April 2026Annual increase (£)Annual increase (per cent)
National Living Wage (21 and over)£12.71£0.504.1
18-20 Year Old Rate£10.85£0.858.5
16-17 Year Old Rate£8.00£0.456.0
Apprentice Rate£8.00£0.456.0
Accommodation Offset£11.10£0.444.1

Baroness Philippa Stroud, Chair of the Low Pay Commission, said: “The recommendations we made last autumn sought to balance the need to protect the economy and labour market, whilst providing a real-terms increase for the lowest-paid members of society.

“A lot has changed since we gave our advice to the Government last autumn, and we are now beginning to gather evidence for recommendations later this year.

“The current economic uncertainty makes it essential that the Commission hears from those affected by the minimum wage and builds consensus for evidence-based recommendations.”

To mark the uprating, the Low Pay Commission has published a report looking at the immediate impacts of the new rates. It has also published a consultation to inform its recommendations on future minimum wage rates.