The outlook for the Scottish and UK economies has weakened, with growth now expected to remain sluggish through the rest of 2025, according to the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde. In its latest quarterly Economic Commentary, the Institute has downgraded its forecasts fo
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Chancellor Rachel Reeves is anticipated to announce a significant overhaul of the UK's savings landscape in her Mansion House speech on 15 July, with plans to reduce the annual tax-free allowance for cash Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs). The move is part of a UK government strategy to encourage s
Employee ownership is surging in popularity across the UK, and particularly in Scotland. In this article, Douglas Roberts reflects on an increasingly sophisticated and diverse market. The Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) is a special type of discretionary trust established by the Finance Act 2014 for
Increased HMRC activity could be causing the recent rise in Scottish company liquidations, according to an Aberdeen insolvency specialist. New figures from Creditsafe showed 141 new Scottish administrations and liquidations in May – the highest number since December 2022 when 142 cases were re
It is an ideal moment to pause and reflect on what has been an intriguing and evolving year for the property market across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and the Borders, writes Paul Hilton. At the close of 2024, the market was buoyant. Activity levels were high, and we saw strong momentum carry into
Business confidence in Scotland saw a five-point decline in June, settling at 47%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Bank of Scotland.
Businesses from across the Forth Valley are being invited to come together this autumn for a week of inspiration, connection, and opportunity as Forth Valley Business Week 2025 launches with the theme 'Stronger Together: Collaboration and Community for Business Resilience'. Taking place from Monday
For the first time, retail investors have the opportunity to gain exposure to Elon Musk's private space exploration company, SpaceX, through blockchain-based fractional shares offered by the investment platform Republic. This development signals a significant shift in the accessibility of investment
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) has welcomed today’s landmark launch of the Department for Business and Trade’s package of three consultations on sustainability reporting standards, assurance of sustainability reporting and climate-related transition plan requir
Scotland’s onshore GDP contracted by 0.2% in April 2025, according to statistics announced by the Chief Statistician, following contraction of 0.4% in March 2025 (revised from contraction of 0.2%). In the three months to April, GDP is estimated to have contracted by 0.2% compared to the previo
A fraudster who earned more than £500,000 by deceiving luxury hotels and stores into buying "unique" Scottish-grown tea that was actually imported, has been imprisoned for three and a half years following a prosecution by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS).
With the UK’s most significant inheritance tax (IHT) reforms in nearly two decades set to roll out from April 2025, legal professionals must prepare for an influx of estate planning enquiries, according to a new YouGov survey commissioned by Brodies LLP. The survey of 2,001 UK adults aged 50+
CMS has announced 48 new promotions in Scotland including four lawyers who move to the senior role of Of Counsel. The promotions also include an elevation for 14 colleagues operating in non-fee earning roles within the firm’s three Scottish offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.
The Scottish National Investment Bank is to work with Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), the organisation which champions the nation’s town centres, on strategic initiatives this year. This is a working relationship designed to encourage new and innovative investment opportunities to fu
As the public consultation on the Charities SORP 2026 ends, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) has called for further action to ease the growing reporting burden on charities. Christine Scott, head of charities and reporting at ICAS said: "The proposed changes offer more clari
