Lenders could have access to more comprehensive information to support lending decisions, under new proposals by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The FCA is consulting on designating certain credit reference agencies (CRAs). If a lender shares credit information with one designated consu
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BAE Systems has reported a robust financial and operational performance in its 2025 full-year results, underpinned by a record order backlog of £83.6 billion. Amidst escalating global security challenges, the company achieved a 10% increase in sales to £30.7bn and a 12% rise in underlyin
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has confirmed the appointment of KPMG as the independent assessor responsible for evaluating proposals to establish a new standards-setting body for UK open banking APIs. This 12-week assessment is designed to identify which organisation is best positioned to le
Scottish renewable energy projects with the capacity to generate 1.4GW of electricity have been awarded a Contracts for Difference (CfD) in the latest UK government auction process. The CfD scheme is a financial agreement that supports low-carbon electricity generators by providing a guaranteed pric
The Scottish distilling industry is facing a deepening crisis as new data from financial advisory and restructuring firm BTG has revealed that 19% of Scotland’s distilleries are now in financial distress. In Scotland, 69 distillers, and a further 217 across England, Wales and Northern Ireland,
Rising tax and cost pressures forced one quarter (25%) of SME bosses in Scotland to lay off staff last year, according to Rathbones. SME founders, owners and senior executives across Scotland disclosed cost pressures and national insurance contributions are weighing heavily on firms and driving up r
People who pay monthly for their insurance are saving around £157 million a year, with over half the firms the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) reviewed as part of a market study lowering the cost of premium finance.
New figures released by Scotland's Chief Statistician provide a comprehensive overview of local government financial activity across the country for the 2024-25 period, covering service delivery costs, infrastructure investment, and overall debt levels. During this financial year, local authorities
Lloyds Banking Group has announced a fresh £1.8 billion share buyback after a robust performance in the 2025 financial year, where pre-tax profits jumped 12% to £6.7bn. The banking giant surpassed internal expectations of £6.4bn, demonstrating resilience despite the Bank of England
Profits at Nairn’s Oatcakes rose to £4.9 million in the 2024-25 financial year, driven by robust sales growth across both domestic and international markets. The Edinburgh-based firm saw turnover increase by 6.6%, climbing from £47.5m to £50.6m.
UK households are increasingly being run as joint operations, with couples sharing responsibility for everything from financial decision-making to food shopping and cleaning, according to new research from Scottish Friendly. The mutual’s survey of more than 2,000 UK adults shows a clear shift
Grant Thornton UK has announced the return of the Scottish Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Awards in 2026. Now in its third year, the programme shines a spotlight on the exceptional talent of chief financial officers and their teams across Scotland.
Cruden has delivered an improved profitability profile and a strengthened financial platform with the publication of its financial results for the year ended 31 March 2025. For the year, the five-star SME housebuilder reported turnover of £112 million, with profit before tax and exceptional it
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has imposed fines totalling £371,700 on two former finance directors of Carillion plc for their roles in the construction giant's collapse. Richard Adam and Zafar Khan were sanctioned for knowingly issuing misleading statements regarding the company’
Deloitte’s latest survey of UK Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) shows that 59% of the UK’s largest businesses have become more optimistic over the past 12 months on the potential for AI to boost the performance of their own organisation – up from 39% when last measured in the third
