Insight

The four largest banks in the UK, Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds and NatWest between them, now control 85% of UK business accounts and 75% of current accounts, according to Moneyfacts. In its latest issue of INTEREST, the retail financial product data provider highlighted the lack of competition between the

Keith Brooks delves into the complexities of Scottish income tax rates and how individuals can navigate them, particularly focusing on the effective tax rates faced by those earning between £100,000 and £125,140, and offering strategies to mitigate tax burdens. With the start of a new ta

Scotland's hospitality sector is posed with staffing difficulties as the UK government implements new salary thresholds for hiring overseas talent, writes Kelly Hardman. Hospitality businesses in Scotland looking to hire overseas talent to support their operations – at a time when domestic rec

Governments alone do not have enough capital to fund the infrastructure required to address imminent economic challenges and meet future targets, writes David Young. alone don’t have the capital available to fund the infrastructure that will be required, writes David Young

Marcus Di Rollo discusses the housing crisis in Scotland, considering the implications of rental market policies like the rent cap for both landlords and tenants. Scotland is in the midst of a housing crisis. The number of new-build homes started and completed last year fell by 24% and 11%, res

Graham Alexander delves into the challenges hindering the UK's utilisation of the vast opportunities within the subsea sector, highlighting fiscal instability, lack of clear policy direction, and the need for a cohesive national industrial strategy to unlock the sector's potential. Uncertainty, larg

Tax expert Scott Webster delves into the new residence-based system which will replace the existing non-dom regime from next year. As part of the recent 2024 Spring Budget, significant changes were announced to the way in which non-UK domiciliaries (non-doms) are to be taxed from 6 April 2025.

Moira Gordon discusses how the Aberdeen City Council's decision to scrap Empty Rates Relief (ERR) to address budget shortfalls may have unintended consequences for businesses across Scotland, as it could negatively impact investor appetite for the city and widen the gap with England's favourable bus

Licensed insolvency practitioner Michael Reid discusses the importance of effective cash flow management as the key to the success and survival of businesses, particularly in the current economic climate. Every business owner’s mantra: “Cash is King”

Graeme Pollock shares his insights on commercial property investment and economic growth in the West Lothian region of Scotland, considering impacts from Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic and strengths in industries like logistics, distribution, and repurposing of older industrial spaces. While

Mark Sterritt, director at the British Business Bank, discusses the organisation's £150 million Investment Fund for Scotland, and its aim to provide financing options for small businesses and entrepreneurs across Scotland in an effort to address regional imbalances in access to capital. A

Forensic accountancy specialist Peter Graham discusses the concerns surrounding AI's potential to radically change society and replace entire professions, drawing a parallel with the overhyped fears about the Y2K bug that ultimately amounted to little disruption. I am of a vintage to be able to

Mike Newman highlights the severe threat of phishing attacks and the importance of credential security for accountancy firms to defend against hackers attempting to steal sensitive data and login credentials. Earlier this year, the world was left awestruck when Mary Callahan Erdoes, the head of asse

Alan Stewart, tax partner at MHA's Aberdeen office, provides analysis of the key Scottish implications from the Chancellor's Spring Budget, offering his insights into how the fiscal measures will impact various sectors and individuals across Scotland. Since the Chancellor’s Autumn statement, i

Despite facing year of challenges such as inflation and interest rate hikes, the Scottish residential property market has demonstrated resilience, writes DM Hall managing partner John McHugh. He discusses a positive outlook for 2024 with stable conditions, increased cash buyers, and a shift toward u