A recent report from a think tank has criticized political parties for avoiding difficult decisions when it comes to addressing public finance challenges. The economic research group stated that the main parties have been ignoring the "painful" choices that need to be made in order to tackle the country's financial issues.

Economists and diplomats are cautioning that Keir Starmer's growth plan for the UK will not succeed without access to EU markets. They suggest that a Labour government led by Starmer would need to rejoin the customs union to fulfill the party's manifesto promises. A recent poll by Opinium for the Observer reveals that 56% of voters believe Brexit has had a negative impact on the UK economy, while only 12% think it has been beneficial. This highlights the importance of re-establishing ties with the EU to maximize economic growth.

In a televised debate, political leaders John Swinney, Anas Sarwar, Douglas Ross, and Alex Cole-Hamilton engaged in a heated discussion over the North Sea industry. The debate marked the first of its kind in the election campaign, with each leader presenting their views and clashing over the future of the vital sector.