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Scotland’s private sector has returned to expansion territory driven by a slight increase in new business, according to the Bank of Scotland’s Survey data for December. However, the rate of growth was only marginal and staffing numbers contracted during the last month of 2015 for the first time

Ian Blackford The SNP has called on the UK Government to set up an independent commission to investigate how changes to the state pension will effect both men and women.

Liz Cameron Scotland’s flagship services sector was been hit by falling UK and overseas sales during the the final quarter of last year.

George Lowder Three of the most senior positions in the Scottish transport sector have been filled, following the recruitment of a Transport for Edinburgh chief executive, a managing director of Lothian Buses and a general manager for Edinburgh Trams.

Simon Rubinsohn House prices in Scotland will see an average increase of 4 per cent over the course of next year and 6 per cent across the UK, according to the RICS housing forecast for 2016.

There were 8,500 loans made to first-time buyers in Scotland during the third quarter of 2015 - a 4 per cent rise on the previous quarter and a 16 per cent year-on-year increase, according to latest Council of Mortgage Lender data. The CML figures show that loans made to first-time buyers in Scotlan

Spending reductions and benefit cuts imposed by the UK government could make Scotland’s poorest families more than £800 a year worse, a think-tank has warned. IPPR Scotland said £500 million would be cut from those on benefits by 2020 as a result of decisions made by Chancellor George Osborne â€

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is calling for contributions on how regulation is working in relation to the social investment market. Social investment is a term used to describe investments where the aim is to provide a wider social benefit, rather than the primary driver being a purely fina

Edinburgh-based Standard Life Investments has reached the maximum equity target it set for its second European Real Estate Club. The global asset manager, which is one of the largest real estate investors in Europe, has completed its final close on the fund, raising over €391 million of equity fro

For the second time in three months, business activity in Scotland’s private sector contracted during November as a result of a downturn in the oil and gas industry. According to the latest Bank of Scotland purchasing managers index (PMI), a fall was also indicated in incoming new orders, with pan

Rural land and property experts have issued a warning about a hidden potential time bomb for Scotland in George Osborne’s latest budget. Perthshire-based rural land and property agent Bell Ingram say the Chancellor’s tax hike for second home owners in England is likely to have repercussions in S

Results of a survey of Scottish firms carried out by accountancy body ICAEW and Grant Thornton has revealed a fall in confidence among businesses north of the border that is likely to hit investment. Respondents said they have cut their forecasts for expenditure on areas such as research and develop

The number of Scots working past retirement is on the rise with over 9,000 men and women aged between 65-74 clocking up over 49 hours per week, according to a new report. Many of the aging workers are also often carrying out long hours and commuting lengthy distances, a census analysis carried out b

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has today hit Barclays Bank with a record fine of more than £72 million for failing to minimise the risk that it may be used to facilitate financial crime. The failings relate to a £1.88 billion pound transaction that Barclays arranged and executed in 2011 and

John Swinney The Scottish Government will see a real terms reduction of almost 6 per cent in the funding for day-to -day public services over the next four years, Scotland’s Deputy First Minister John Swinney has said.