Edinburgh has decided to shelve a potential friendship deal with Kaohsiung, Taiwan, due to fears of potential sanctions from China. The city council was considering establishing a partnership with Kaohsiung, but concerns were raised by both Chinese officials and local businesses. The decision to halt the partnership comes as tensions between China and Taiwan continue to escalate. China considers Taiwan to be a part of its territory and has been known to impose sanctions on countries or cities that establish official ties with the self-governing island. Despite the potential benefits of a friendship deal with Kaohsiung, Edinburgh ultimately decided to prioritize its relationship with China and avoid any potential backlash. The council's decision reflects the delicate balance that many cities and countries must navigate in their relationships with both Taiwan and China.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has criticized the Reform and Greens parties for their refusal to address the difficult economic decisions facing the country. The think tank accused the parties of "poisoning" the debate by making unrealistic claims about tax cuts that would cost billions of pounds. The IFS emphasized the need for political parties to acknowledge the painful choices that must be made in order to address economic challenges.