Working people will be protected from unfair price rises with new plans set out by the government today to detect and crack down on companies if they exploit the crisis in the Middle East.
Ministers are concerned that some companies could exploit the crisis to carry out price gouging – when a company puts prices up to an unfair and unjustifiably high level during a crisis, knowing that customer have little choice but to pay.
To deal with this unfair practice, a new anti-profiteering framework is being brought in by the Government and regulators like the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to clamp down on price gouging if it takes place.
As part of that, the government will not hesitate to introduce new time-limited, targeted powers for the CMA and other key regulators if that is needed, and the exact powers are being worked through at pace.
The move will further strengthen our world-class competition and consumer protection regime, which is already protecting households, and comes as the CMA have stepped up their monitoring of fuel prices and accelerated their review of fuel margins made by businesses since the conflict began.
The announcement follows the Chancellor and Energy Secretary’s meeting with petrol retailers to discuss what more can be done to support motorists with the cost of living, and the Chancellor is expected to meet with supermarkets and banks to discuss how they can support consumers in the coming days.
A Government spokesperson said:“We are fighting your corner to keep the cost of living down in these uncertain times. We will not allow companies to exploit this crisis to hike their prices to unjustifiable levels.
“Whether at the fuel pump filling up your car or at the till paying for your groceries, we are working with regulators to make sure the price you pay is a fair one.”
The Chancellor will deliver more details later today.
Research challenges political assumptions and highlights widespread concern about wealthinequality
A new national study from Wellbeing Economy Alliance Scotland has found overwhelming concern about wealth inequality and strong backing for fairer taxation of wealth, including among people in higher-income households, challenging the common assumption that such reforms lack public support.
Key findings include:
• 85% support increasing taxes on the wealthy
• 90% say wealth inequality is more harmful than good for Scottish society
• 83% say the wealth gap is too large
• Two-thirds would prefer higher taxes to protect public services rather than cuts
Concern about inequality and backing for fairer taxation were consistent across income levels, age groups, and social backgrounds.
Participants described wealth inequality as damaging to people’s security, opportunities, and quality of life. Many said those with the greatest wealth should contribute more, particularly to support public services.
There is also strong public backing for specific reforms. Around 70% of people supported changes to ensure those with higher-value properties pay more council tax, reflecting broader support for progressive taxation.
Participants consistently linked their views on taxation to fairness and public benefit. Support was strongest where people believed the system was fair, transparent, and clearly linked to protecting public services such as healthcare, education, and local communities.
Lisa Hough-Stewart, Director, Wellbeing Economy Alliance Scotland and a member of the campaign Tax Justice Scotland, said: “This research shows clearly that people across Scotland are deeply concerned about wealth inequality and strongly support fairer taxation of wealth.
“For too long, political debate has assumed that taxing wealth is unpopular or politically impossible. Our findings show that this is not the case.
“Support comes from across society — including people who recognise they may need to contribute more.
“People recognise the role public services play in supporting everyone in society, and believe those with the greatest wealth should contribute more to sustain them.
“Public opinion is not the barrier to reform. The public is ready for change.”
The findings come at a time of continued pressure on public services and growing debate about inequality, taxation, and Scotland’s public finances. The Scottish Fiscal Commission has forecast a shortfall of £4.7 billion by 2029-30 even to fund existing spending commitments.
Support for tax reform was closely linked to fairness and trust. Participants emphasised the importance of ensuring that tax changes are proportionate, transparently implemented, and designed so those with the greatest wealth contribute their fair share.
The results add to mounting calls for a fairer tax system. Tax Justice Scotland – a campaign backed by more than 50 organisations, from anti-poverty and environment charities to social enterprise bodies, academics, policy think tanks and trade unions – is calling for fair tax reform at UK and Scotland levels.
Ahead of the Scottish election, it is urging every party to set out Tax Justice Plans to ensure national and local taxes in Scotland do more to help tackle inequality, poverty and the climate crisis while fairly generating additional money to invest in crucial public services.
Jamie Livingstone, Head of Oxfam Scotland and a member of Tax Justice Scotland, said: “People in Scotland are well ahead of the current political debate on inequality and tax. They can see too much wealth sitting in too few hands while children live in poverty and public services struggle and people know that’s not right.
“Most of us are willing to pay a bit more to support the services we all rely on but we expect the money to be spent wisely and those with the deepest pockets to contribute properly too. That it isn’t radical or complicated economics, it’s basic fairness.
“With the Scottish election fast approaching, every party should set out how they will help deliver a fairer tax system within the next Scottish Parliament.”
The study draws on nationally representative research conducted with more than 2,300 people across Scotland, alongside in-depth focus groups exploring attitudes to wealth inequality, taxation, and council tax reform.
COMPETITION AND MARKETS AUTHORITY SETS OUT REFORMS
The CMA has set out its final reforms – which will start coming into force later this year – to help pet owners better navigate the vet services market.
Legally binding measures include price lists, prescription fee caps, a price comparison website and mandatory branding by the large groups to boost competition and drive down prices
Pet owners using a vet practice that is part of a larger chain can expect to see changes before Christmas – including standard price lists
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has today concluded its investigation into veterinary services for household pets in the UK, after an independent inquiry group found that the current system is leaving pet owners in the dark. A lack of information that helps people make informed decisions is leading to weak competition and high prices.
An unprecedented response from both the public and the sector has help to shape the CMA’s final report, which green lights a package of measures to make the market more competitive, easier to navigate and more responsive to pet owners’ needs.
The investigation has intensified public scrutiny of the veterinary services industry, yet the professionalism, compassion, and commitment to animal welfare shown by veterinary professionals remains unquestioned.
We’ve set out major reforms to the UK’s veterinary sector now our market investigation is complete.
Our reforms will help pet owners better navigate the vet services market and will start coming into force later this year.
— Competition & Markets Authority (@CMAgovUK) March 24, 2026
Martin Coleman, Chair of the independent Inquiry Group, said: “This is the most extensive review of veterinary services in a generation, and today’s reforms will make a real difference to the millions of pet owners who want the best for their pets but struggle to find the practice, treatment and price that meets their needs.
“Too often, people are left in the dark about who owns their practice, treatment options and prices – even when facing bills running into thousands of pounds.
“Our measures mean it will be made clear to pet owners which practices are part of large groups, which are charging higher prices, and for the first time, vet businesses will be held to account by an independent regulator.
“Our changes put pet owners at the centre but also help vets by enhancing trust in the profession and protecting clinical judgement from undue commercial pressure – and that is important to ensure our pets continue to get the best care.”
The report outlines the final remedies and recommendations which together will transform the market.
More details on when the changes will happen can be found in the timetable for remedies.
The British Veterinary Association (BVA), which represents more than 19,000 individual vets across the UK, welcomes the majority of the measures, particularly those designed to improve transparency and consumer choice, outlined by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) as it publishes its final decision following more than two years of investigation into the UK vet services market for household pets.
British Veterinary Association President Dr. Rob Williams MRCVS said:“Vets care deeply for animals and anything we can do to build trust between us and their owners is a good thing.
“The majority of the CMA’s measures focus on increasing transparency and information, which will help pet owners make more informed choices and support competition, which is a really positive step.
“We’re also pleased to see that the CMA continues to support our calls for reform of the woefully outdated Veterinary Surgeons Act, including the introduction of vet practice regulation, which will go a long way to addressing many of the issues its investigation raised.
“Delivering highly skilled veterinary medicine is costly and whilst we recognise prices have risen sharply in recent years this is due to a number of factors, including the higher costs all businesses are experiencing – and vet practices are not immune.
“Plus, thanks to advances in diagnostics and medical technology over the last 20 years, vets can now do much more to manage disease and injury in animals, whereas in the past the only option available may have been to euthanase.
“Owners today also have a greater expectation of their vet, with many expecting human quality healthcare for their pets and whilst this is possible to deliver, it comes at a cost.
“If pet owners do have concerns about cost, talk to us, we will always do our best to help.”
New maternity standards to improve consistency and quality of care
Clear information about the standards women and their families can expect during their maternity care has been published by Healthcare Improvement Scotland.
The standards set out that patients should receive safe and compassionate care throughout pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period, regardless of where they live or their individual circumstances, and that care should be responsive to each woman’s individual needs.
The standards cover all aspects of maternity care, from antenatal appointments through to postnatal support, emergency care, mental health and wellbeing, and bereavement care. They apply across all settings, including hospitals, community services, midwifery units, and home births, and support NHS boards to actively work to reduce health inequalities and improve outcomes for women and their babies.
Once implemented, Healthcare Improvement Scotland will use the standards to drive this improvement, informing inspection and assurance activities across NHS boards.
Public Health and Women’s Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “The safety of women and babies is paramount.
“We commissioned Healthcare Improvement Scotland to develop the Maternity Care Standards, and I am grateful for their work to improve the quality and consistency of maternity care for women, babies, and families across Scotland.
“Every woman deserves to feel safe, supported and listened to during pregnancy and beyond. These standards recognise that some women face additional barriers to getting the care they need and set out a clear commitment to making sure maternity services work equally well for everyone — whatever their background or circumstances.”
Melissa Dowdeswell, Director of Nursing and Integrated Care, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said: “We are pleased to have published maternity care standards that set clear expectations for how maternity care should be delivered in Scotland.
“The standards aim to promote consistency and improve the quality of maternity services across the country. They set out a blueprint for what good maternity care looks like and detail the levels of high-quality care and support that all women should expect to receive before, during and after birth.
“During the development of the standards, we spoke to women from many different backgrounds, who shared their experiences of being pregnant and giving birth in Scotland. Their voices were central to the creation of the standards.
“We heard that women need to feel confident that a high-level of safe, effective and person-centred care will be consistently delivered in all maternity units across Scotland regardless of individual circumstances or needs.
“The development of these standards is a commitment to making sure this happens.”
Four innovative projects across Scotland’s libraries and information services have secured a share of £34,000 from the Scottish Library and Information Council’s (SLIC) Innovation and Development Fund, supporting new ideas that will shape the future of learning, research and access to information.
Now in its 14th year, the fund backs bold initiatives from across Scotland’s library network, helping services test new approaches, develop fresh resources and respond to the changing needs of communities and learners.
The latest round of funding will champion projects ranging from a Scots language learning course for prison libraries to an affordable journal publishing scheme through Scottish Universities Press:
Read tae rise: Scots language and library learning with Scotland’s prisons
The National Library of Scotland has received just over £9,500 to develop a new Scots language course and resource pack for prison libraries.
Co-created with learners, the course will draw on the library’s historic and contemporary collections while highlighting the role of libraries as powerful tools for lifelong learning and cultural connection.
Robert Gordon University Library: developing future library designs
Robert Gordon University Library has secured just under £5,000 for a student-led design concept project that will explore the future of its library spaces. Students from the School of Law & Social Sciences and the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture & Built Environment will collaborate to gather user insights and produce draft design concepts to inform future library redevelopment.
Delivering a journal publishing programme through Scottish Universities Press
The University of Dundee has been awarded £12,500 to pilot a journal publishing programme through Scottish Universities Press.
The initiative will test a sustainable, high-quality alternative to traditional academic journal publishing models, offering a more affordable and accessible route for scholarly research.
University of Strathclyde: decolonising academic libraries in Scotland
At University of Strathclyde, the iSchool has received £7,200 to work with academic libraries across Scotland to develop clear, practical guidance on applying decolonisation principles in library services and collections.
The outputs will include accessible guidelines and infographics designed to support library staff in turning shared ambitions around inclusion and representation into everyday practice.
The Innovation and Development Fund, administered and financed by SLIC, is designed to support organisations that fall outside the remit of other annual funding programmes, such as the Public Library Improvement Fund (PLIF) and the School Library Improvement Fund (SLIF).
This includes further education and higher education institutions, as well as specialist libraries and information services. All projects link to SLIC’s strategic pillars of Standards, Leadership, Information and Collaboration.
Alison Nolan, chief executive of SLIC, said: “Scotland’s libraries and information services continue to adapt and innovate, creating resilient, future-proofed environments that respond to the evolving needs of their users.
“The Innovation and Development Fund plays an important role in supporting that progress by backing bold, forward-thinking ideas.
“The projects awarded funding this year demonstrate the creativity and ambition across the sector, from empowering people through language and culture to rethinking how knowledge is created, shared and accessed.”
Since 2013, the SLIC Innovation and Development Fund has awarded over £425,000 to over 40 projects.
Previous initiatives have included a TED Talk style ‘health conversations’ webinar series developed by NHS Ayrshire and Arran Health Board Library, a literacy and numeracy course by Glasgow Women’s Library, and the creation of a podcast studio at the University of the Highlands and Islands Moray campus.
For more information about the Innovation and Development Fund, visit:
Young people across Scotland studying for Senior Phase qualifications will have access to free online Easter Study Support.
The webinars provided by e-Sgoil are delivered by secondary teachers covering multiple subjects over National 4, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher levels.
Registration for the extensive programme of webinars is now open, with sessions scheduled to run throughout the week beginning 6 April.
The Easter programme, now in its fifth year, has been developed as part of the Scottish Government-funded National e-Learning offer and continues to grow in both reach and impact.
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Jenny Gilruth, said: “I welcome the continued success of e‑Sgoil’s Easter Study Support programme, and I’m pleased the Scottish Government has been able to continue to support the provision of high‑quality revision opportunities for senior phase pupils at a crucial point in the school year.
“Last year’s participation and overwhelmingly positive feedback show the real value of this national offer in building confidence and reducing anxiety ahead of exams. The programme reaches young people in every local authority and strengthens the wider support available in Scotland’s schools.”
Last year 4,287 registered for a total of 18,100 webinar places, representing an increase of 689 learners on the previous year.
Commenting, e-Sgoil Study Support Programme lead Rhona Johnstone added: “We are delighted to offer the Easter Study Support programme to Senior Phase learners across Scotland yet again this session and pleased to see the programme reaching more learners year on year.
“The evidence of the impact that both the Easter and Evening Study Support programmes has on the learners ahead of assessments and exams can be seen in the feedback received from those who have participated in previous years.”
Celebrating the global Netflix launch ofPeaky Blinders: The Immortal Man
Fans in Edinburgh, dressed in their Peaky best, invited to raise a glass to a legend, Tommy Shelby, with a drink on the Peaky Blinder!
On Friday (27th March), a complimentary bar tab will be available in local independent pubs across the country, including The Athletic Arms (The Diggers) from 4pm.
To mark the arrival of Peaky Blinders, The Immortal Man, Netflix is partnering with The Athletic Arms (The Diggers), as part of ten independent pubs nationwide bringing fans to their local to celebrate and enjoy a drink on Tommy Shelby.
This Friday 27th March, The Athletic Arms (The Diggers) will celebrate the icon Tommy Shelby. Fans can claim a complimentary drink simply by using the legendary phrase: “By order of the Peaky Blinders”.
Each participating pub will embrace a 1940s Peaky Blinders-inspired theme, with limited-edition merchandise and flat caps up for grabs. Guests are welcome (but not required!) to don their best Peaky-style outfits.
A cornerstone of British culture and community, the concept of the ‘local’ is central to Peaky Blinders. One pub a day disappeared for good in England and Wales during 2025 as sustained cost pressures continued to weigh heavily on the sector and Netflix is proud to support these regional answers to The Garrison, allowing fans to come together to toast the legend of Peaky.
Directed by Tom Harper and written by Steven Knight, who created and wrote the smash hit series, the film stars Academy Award® winner Cillian Murphy returning as Tommy Shelby with a cast that includes Rebecca Ferguson, Academy Award® nominee Tim Roth, Sophie Rundle with Academy Award® nominee Barry Keoghan and Primetime Emmy Award® winner Stephen Graham.
Set against a bombed 1940s Birmingham, the film follows the legendary Tommy Shelby as he returns from exile to reckon with the legacy of himself and the family.
Speaking on bringing the world of Peaky Blinders to their patrons, Kevin McGhee, Landlord, The Athletic Arms, said: “As a late-Victorian Edinburgh icon, known in our community for its rich history, we are thrilled to bring the world of Tommy Shelby to the Diggers.
“Our central bar has served everyone from local gravediggers to modern day legends since 1897. Now, we’re excited to welcome the beloved Peaky Blinders community in Edinburgh and raise a glass to Tommy Shelby.”
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man is in cinemas now, and on Netflix from March 20. Peaky fans from Scotland are invited to celebrate the launch of The Immortal Man at The Athletic Arms (The Diggers) on Friday 27th March, enjoying their next round on Tommy Shelby.
Seven locations proposed in England as new towns with each location delivering at least 10,000 homes
The locations of seven new towns have been named for consideration as part of the most ambitious housebuilding programme in more than half a century.
Built for the future from the ground up, the next generation of new towns will create well-connected new communities with homes, jobs, schools, green space and transport links planned from the start.
Each proposed location is expected to deliver at least 10,000 homes, with several delivering 40,000 or more in the decades to come.
The proposed locations are:
Tempsford, Bedfordshire — up to 40,000 homes built around a new East West Rail station, linking residents to Cambridge, Oxford, London and Milton Keynes
Crews Hill and Chase Park, Enfield — up to 21,000 homes helping to meet London’s acute housing need
Leeds South Bank, West Yorkshire — up to 20,000 homes capitalising on the city’s economic momentum and the government’s £2.1 billion local transport investment
Manchester Victoria North, Greater Manchester — at least 15,000 homes regenerating the heart of Greater Manchester, with a new Metrolink stop connecting residents to jobs across the city
Thamesmead, Greenwich — up to 15,000 homes unlocking inaccessible riverside land in London, enabled by the planned Docklands Light Railway extension
Brabazon and the West Innovation Arc, South Gloucestershire — up to 40,000 homes at the heart of a world-class research and advanced engineering economy
Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire — building on its history as one of the original new towns, to take forward the ‘renewed town’ vision to expand the city by around 40,000 homes and reinvigorate the centre with a new local transport system, boosting connectivity in the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor
Furthermore, as part of the government’s drive to instil pride in our communities, these towns will be designed for modern, everyday life – with neighbourhoods that people can easily get around without a car, shared green spaces and vibrant high streets.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed said: “People want real change – homes they can afford, local infrastructure that works, and good jobs in thriving communities.
“Our next generation of new towns marks a turning point in how we build for the future.
“From the ground up, we’re planning whole communities with homes, jobs, transport links, and green spaces designed together — so we can give families the security and opportunities they deserve.”
To drive forward delivery, four interim advisers have been appointed to support the New Towns Unit:
Lyn Garner, former Chief Executive of the London Legacy Development Corporation;
Ian Piper, former Chief Executive of the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation;
Emma Cariaga, Chief Operating Officer of British Land;
David Rudlin, Founding Principal of Rudlin & Co and principal author of the UK Government’s National Model Design Code
Building on the success seen in Stratford through the London Legacy Development Corporation and elsewhere, some new development corporations will also be stood up to support the delivery of these new towns.
As set out in the proposed placemaking principles, these new towns will create affordable and balanced communities with the schools, health facilities and community infrastructure neighbourhoods need, supported by high quality public transport and walking and cycling infrastructure.
To ensure that new towns are built in a holistic way, that meets communities’ growing needs, government is taking a cross-government approach to ensure the utilities, health, education, and digital infrastructure to underpin new towns from the outset.
Alongside the new towns consultation, the government has also confirmed today that the National Housing Bank will launch on 1 April. It will be backed with up to £16bn of financial capacity and will aim to deliver over 500,000 new homes.
The government has also confirmed additional support worth up to £400 million over the next decade for subsidised products. This will enable both the National Housing Bank and regional Mayors to issue loans and investments at lower interest rates and unlock housebuilding across the country.
Confirmed today that the Bank will be chaired by Peter Vernon, with Simon Century as its Chief Executive, the Bank will respond flexibly to market needs, unlock over £53 billion of private investment, and provide developers with more financial stability and certainty to support the delivery of over half a million new homes. Century and Vernon both have comprehensive experience in property, financial services, regeneration, and management consultancy.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “For decades this country’s planning system has been a direct obstacle to building new homes, ramping up costs and pricing young people out of the housing market.
“Two years ago, I promised that we would grasp the nettle of planning reform. Now we’re planning to build a new generation of new towns, opening up the expansion of our most dynamic cities and raise up new communities.
“Our economic plan is the right one. Through stability, investment and reform we are building a stronger and more secure economy.”
Simon Century, National Housing Bank Chief Executive, said: “From day one, we’ll use deep expertise to back innovative, large-scale delivery — accelerating the supply of high-quality affordable homes and thriving places people want to live.
The Government also assessed six further New Town locations — Adlington, Heyford Park, Marlcombe (East Devon), Plymouth, South Barking and Wychavon Town — which will not be taken forward as New Towns at this stage but are deemed to be credible development opportunities and may continue to be supported through existing housing programmes.
In Plymouth, for example, there is a unique opportunity to bolster the UK’s defence and security sector, and will have its own bespoke support package to unlock its potential as a centre of excellence in naval technology, and to ensure that lack of good quality homes does not act as a barrier to growth.
Furthermore, an additional £234 million grant fund will support Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs) to unlock 8,000 new homes on derelict brownfield land. Areas benefitting from the funding include Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, the East Midlands, Greater Lincolnshire, Hull & East Yorkshire, Tees Valley, West of England and York & North Yorkshire.
Together, these measures form part of the government’s commitment to ease the housing crisis, supporting first-time buyers, and creating thousands of jobs across construction and related industries.
The BBC must have more Scottish voices telling Scottish stories, be clearer on devolved and reserved issues in its news reporting and give Welsh and Gaelic language services equal status, according to a Scottish Parliament Committee.
A new report from the Constitution, Culture, Europe and External Affairs Committee describes concern at the “long-standing frustration” that the BBC Network continues to fall short in serving the interests of licence fee payers in all parts of the UK equally by missing opportunities to be precise in its reporting of issues which only apply to England or Scotland.
It asks whether the BBC should adopt a more federal structure in which BBC Scotland would be a partner rather than a subsidiary, with greater editorial control and commissioning power.
The report also raises concerns about the downgrading of local news within Scotland, encouraging the regulator OFCOM to be vigilant and use its power to mitigate risks from any plans for centralisation and reduced regional coverage.
The report follows the Committee’s inquiry in to broadcasting in Scotland and will feed into the UK Government’s public consultation on the BBC Charter – the legal document which sets out what the BBC is for and how it should operate.
Changes to BBC Radio Scotland programming and its use of new, emerging and established Scottish artists also feature in the report, with the Committee stating it was “not convinced” by the response to concerns raised by campaigners and encourages the Scottish Government to continue to pursue the matter.
The Committee also expresses its support for greater transparency in how the BBC’s commercial income is used in relation to its public service broadcast obligations and of sustainable funding for minority language broadcasting across the UK, including Gaelic through BBC ALBA.
Committee Convener, Clare Adamson, said: “We know broadcasters – particularly public sector broadcasters – face major challenges as people’s watching and listening choices move towards online platforms. However, local broadcasters continue to play a vital role in the social fabric of Scotland’s communities.
“We support an adventurous, adaptable and accountable BBC and have made a series of recommendations directed at the Scottish Government, the UK Government, Screen Scotland, Ofcom and the BBC to ensure that Scotland and its license fee payers are well served.”
