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Scottish entrepreneurs are confident about their own business prospects in the upcoming tax year, despite pessimism over the wider UK economy, according to Rathbones. A survey of more than 1,000 SME founders, owners and senior executives found that two thirds (66%) of those in Scotland feel confiden

Recent data has remained positive for the Scottish economy, but the outlook for future growth is being dampened by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, according to the Fraser of Allander Institute. In its latest Quarterly Economic Commentary, the Institute has downgraded its 2026 growth forecas

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is convening a summit with the heads of UK banks this Wednesday to address the economic fallout from the war in Iran. The Chancellor has invited executives from Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest, Santander UK and Nationwide to the meeting, which will include figures such as Na

Almost half (49%) of the 55 profit warnings issued by UK-listed companies in Q1 2026 cited the impact of policy change and geopolitical uncertainty as a leading factor, according to EY-Parthenon’s latest Profit Warnings report. This marked the highest quarterly proportion recorded for this cau

Company insolvencies in Scotland climbed 11% year-on-year in March 2026, with 131 cases registered compared to the same month in 2025. The total comprised 57 compulsory liquidations, 53 creditors' voluntary liquidations (CVLs), 18 administrations and three receivership appointments. No company volun

Listing activity on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) in the first quarter of 2026 was muted, with just two listings, according to EY-Parthenon’s latest IPO analysis. One listing raised £8.8 million on the main market, with the other raising £4m on the Alternative Investment Market (

Rising costs, late payment problems and concerns over supply chain resilience are creating a gloomy outlook for the UK’s vital small and medium sized enterprises. That is according to the latest ACCA and IMA Global Economic Conditions Survey (GECS), which shows UK SME confidence is stuck near

Manchester-based waste manager Papilo has expanded its reach with the acquisition of REKK Recycling, a Scottish company based in Uddingston. REKK provides total waste management solutions to clients in the food production, manufacturing and industrial sectors across Scotland and England. Its founder

Scotland’s marketing sector is demonstrating true resilience in a turbulent market, with The Marketing Society Scotland revealing a strong set of entries and nominations for its Star Awards – surpassing pre-pandemic records to have its biggest year yet with over 300 submissions. During a

  Future Ticketing and Capital Credit Union (CCU) have unveiled a new integration enabling clubs to provide Fair Fan Finance season ticket loans seamlessly through its platform.

Sedulo Group has expanded into Scotland with the acquisition of accountancy practice Smith & Wallace and the launch of a new Glasgow office. Sedulo is a national mid-tier advisory firm, ranked number 57 in the Accountancy Top 100, with offices in Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Birmingham, London

Seven innovative projects to support small food and drink producers in parts of the Highlands and Islands have been awarded a total of £169,750 through the Small Producers Pilot Fund. The successful initiatives in Skye, Easter Ross, Moray, the Outer Hebrides and Argyll and Bute will strengthen

A pensioner who impersonated her husband’s voice to embezzle thousands of pounds as part of a mortgage and pension fraud has been sentenced. Karen Lawrence, 66, previously pleaded guilty at Ayr Sheriff Court to forming a fraudulent scheme to swindle her husband John out of almost £100,00

KPMG is cutting nearly 600 jobs across its UK audit and advisory divisions as the Big Four firm grapples with sluggish market conditions and mounting cost pressures. Around 440 assistant manager roles in the audit business are at risk, out of a total of 590 positions identified for potential redunda

Nearly half a million Lloyds Banking Group customers were affected by a significant technical failure earlier this month, with the bank now making compensation payments to thousands of those impacted.