Search: financial focus

Neil Kirk discusses the unintended consequences of rent freezes in Scotland, which have negatively impacted tenants, caused a shortage of rental properties, and deterred investment in the residential property sector. During a cost-of-living crisis, it might be difficult to feel sympathy for landlord

“Baffling” VAT food and drink rules which see milkshake powders taxed differently according to their flavour should be reformed, says the Association of Taxation Technicians, as the tax celebrates its 50th anniversary on Saturday. Chocolate flavoured powders attract zero VAT while strawb

AG Barr, the manufacturer of Irn-Bru, has announced that Robin Barr will leave the board after 58 years. Mr Barr has been with the business for 62 years and served as chairman for 31 years. He will not seek re-election at the company's AGM in May.

Nicola Alexander discusses the challenges faced by small, independent retailers due to Brexit and Covid such as increased import costs, and provides practical steps for businesses to ensure their continued operations. The cost-of-living crisis is an all-too-familiar phrase at the moment. It’s

Amid instability in the US and European banking systems and an unexpected jump in inflation to 10.4% during February, the Bank of England has announced another increase to the base interest rate to 4.25%.

Unite the Union has revealed that the UK's four big banks, how banks have already made billions in extra profit from interest rate rises.

Phil Prentice, the chief officer of Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), is stepping back from his role after eight-and-a-half years. Mr Prentice will complete his current job at the end of this month to pursue other interests in place-making. He will, however, remain involved with STP as a par

Another obstacle has appeared for EY's breakup proposal after a London High Court judge told the firm's UK arm it must give notice of four weeks to NMC Health's administrators on whether a split will go ahead.

The UK government has announced that the maximum jail sentence for tax fraud will double from seven to 14 years for the most "egregious" forms of evasion. The Treasury announced the change in last week's spring budget and said it will consult on the introduction of a new criminal offence for pr

Revenue from property taxes in Scotland has collapsed this year according to analysis of the latest statistics by property firm DJ Alexander Ltd. The firm said that income from the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) on residential sales collapsed at the start of the year with the first two mo

Glasgow City Council's wholly owned subsidiary City Property Glasgow has secured a £210 million investment, from Phoenix Group and abrdn, to support the council’s recently settled equal pay liability.

Prax Exploration & Production has reached an agreement to acquire North Sea oil firm Hurricane Energy in a deal worth £249 million.

Professional accountants must help drive the migration to sustainable economies and businesses by becoming experts in green finance, according to the latest report from ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) — Green finance skills: the guide.

The launch of the Scaling Up Summit, taking place later this month in Edinburgh, has been announced as part of a partnership between The Scottish National Investment Bank, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Ken Pattullo and Kenny Craig, partners at Begbies Traynor, were appointed as joint liquidators of the Highlander Hotel Ltd which traded as the Lomond Hills Hotel in Fife, on 6 March 2023. Located at the foot of the Lomond Hills in Freuchie, Cupar, the eighteenth century converted coaching inn dates