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The latest figures from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) have revealed that the number of people accessing their pension as a flexible income has increased by 56% between April and September this year. However, withdrawals of all types still remain below 2019 levels.

Cynergy Bank, the former British arm of the Bank of Cyprus, has secured a deal with Google and Wipro Limited to provide a 'digital relationship bank' which combines digital and personal banking services. The trio has said that their service will differ from other start-ups as it will

A coalition of small business leaders, tax experts and company directors have detailed the measures needed to address a government shortcoming which has left thousands with no income support throughout months of COVID-linked disruption.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued a warning to Self Assessment customers about scammers purporting to be from HMRC. As the department issues thousands of SMS messages and emails as part of its annual Self Assessment tax return push ahead of the annual deadline on 31 January 2021, HMRC is warn

NatWest Group, formerly known as RBS Group, has been named as the banking sponsor of next year’s COP26 climate summit in Glasgow. The banking group said its sponsorship would demonstrate "its ambition to champion the fight against climate change by playing an active role in the transition to a

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has today launched a consultation on the proposed revision of a practice note (PN) on the audit of housing associations in the United Kingdom.

RSM has called on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to urgently consider a 12-month delay to the introduction of HMRC’s preferential creditor status as it will both limit funding and restructuring options for Scottish businesses.  The audit, tax and consultancy firm believes that the change, due to

Landlords, small business owners, investors and second-home owners are facing a rise in tax after a review ordered by Chancellor Rishi Sunak.   The chancellor is considering proposals by the Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) to reform capital gains tax to help pay for the Covid-19 pandemi

The UK is facing a 'new and unprecedented debt crisis' in the wake of COVID-19 as the number of people affected by coronavirus who are in severe problem debt has risen to 1.2 million, according to a new report by debt charity Step Change. Step Change's Tacking the Coronavirus Personal Debt Crisis re

Black heritage business leaders have shared their personal stories of challenge and triumph in a KPMG UK event aimed at inspiring Scotland’s future business leaders. Despite ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, KPMG’s African & Caribbean Network in Scotland pushed ahead with their second a

Wealth management firm Brewin Dolphin, which has offices throughout Scotland, has appointed Toby Strauss as its new chairman and non-executive director. Mr Strauss will take up his new role at the conclusion of the company’s AGM on 5 February 2021. At the same time, Simon Miller will

Zumo, the Edinburgh-based cryptocurrency wallet and exchange platform, has announced four female appointments in key roles and a total of seven new team members, taking the team to 24 with recruiting still open for another five new roles. Amelie Arras joins Zumo’s marketing department during a

Peter Graham, director, forensic accounting at MHA Henderson Loggie, discusses the lessons which can be learned from Johnny Depp's libel action. Last week the newspapers reported the judgement in the case of Johnny Depp’s libel action against News Group Newspapers.

Scottish Widows is preparing to scrap £440 million of investments in firms that don't meet its stricter environmental, social and governance standards. The pensions firm has begun the process of divesting £440m of its holdings in firms that it believes pose “the most seve

Four in ten people across Britain are keeping money secrets from their loved ones, according to a survey conducted by the government-backed Money and Pensions Service (MaPS).