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The percentage of Scottish small businesses predicting growth has fallen to a four-year low (29%), according to new figures from Novuna Business Finance.  The current position stands in stark contrast to last summer, which saw a period of stability in Scottish growth outlook.

Scottish retail sales saw a slight increase in March 2025, rising by 0.3% compared to the same period last year, according to the Scottish Retail Consortium. Figures covering the five weeks to 5 April, suggest this modest growth is considered noteworthy given that the comparison month, March 20

The number of growing UK sectors held steady in March, according to the latest Bank of Scotland UK Sector Tracker. Compiled using exclusive PMI survey data from around 1,300 private sector companies (between 12-27 March), the report shows that four sectors saw output growth, the same number as in Fe

UK inflation fell to 2.6% in March, dropping from 2.8% in February and below City forecasts of 2.7%, intensifying pressure on the Bank of England to consider cutting interest rates at its meeting next month. The Office for National Statistics attributed the lower rate primarily to falling fuel

Fife-based employee-owned Scott and Fyfe has reported another year of robust financial results, demonstrating resilience despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and increased operational costs. The textiles specialist, established in 1864, designs and manufactures advanced technical textiles for indus

Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) of the UK's largest companies are increasingly adopting defensive business strategies, reaching levels not seen since the early stages of the pandemic, according to Deloitte. The Big Four firm's latest survey of UK chief financial officers (CFOs) closed on 31 March &n

Lloyds Banking Group’s Scottish Executive Committee chair Jackie Leiper explores how financial institutions can help bridge Scotland’s affordable housing gap and why unlocking private capital and accelerating cross-sector partnerships is critical to solving the crisis and driving long-te

The UK economy showed unexpected strength in February, with GDP expanding by 0.5% – significantly outpacing economists' forecasts of 0.1% growth.

Surveyors in Scotland report that house prices rose through the first quarter of 2025 according to the latest Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Residential Market Survey, showing a more resilient upward trend than all other UK regions aside from Northern Ireland. According to the lates

The 2025/26 tax year has started this weekend (6 April), and the Chartered Institute of Taxation has republished tax tables showing how income tax for Scottish taxpayers is different compared to other parts of the UK. Increases to the basic and intermediate tax thresholds mean that Scottish taxpayer

Dundee-based aquaculture technology firm Ace Aquatec has appointed Alan MacLeod as chief financial officer (CFO) to support its global growth strategy. Bringing over 20 years' financial leadership experience from diverse sectors including technology, construction, and energy, Mr MacLeod was most rec

Cooper Parry (CP) has signalled its expansion into Scotland with the appointment of Neil Norman as tax partner and regional head. The UK accountancy firm, which the largest B Corp in its sector, has completed 12 acquisitions across the professional services spectrum in the last 22 months.

Lloyds Banking Group has announced it is strategically enhancing its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities by training 200 senior leaders through an intensive 80-hour programme – "Leading with AI". Delivered in partnership with training provider Cambridge Spark and experts from Cambridge U

Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Spring Statement has drawn mixed responses from tax and business experts, highlighting both welcomed measures and lingering concerns. Chris Campbell, head of tax at ICAS, highlighted the delayed implementation of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax for those with income

As part of HSBC's stringent cost-cutting strategy under chief executive Georges Elhedery, the bank has dismissed London-based investment bankers on their bonus announcement day, with many receiving no payout. The move, following the bank's January decision to shutter its mergers and acquisitions and