Insight

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

The UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has indicated that it intends to utilise existing but less commonly used powers to grant immunity notices to offenders who assist in its cases, and support reduced sentences to defendants who provide evidence to enable other prosecutions, writes Tom Stocker.

Mergers and acquisitions specialist Rod Hutchison discusses the economic landscape, particularly in the energy sector, highlighting the impact on M&A transactions in the North-east region, and expressing cautious optimism based on favourable economic conditions and opportunities in renewables an

R&D tax expert David Philp discusses the effectiveness of the UK government's R&D tax relief scheme, and what upcoming changes to the scheme will mean for SMEs, giving critique and emphasising the need for more consultation to ensure the scheme's success in driving innovation in UK companies

Continuing from last week's blog, Michael Reid, a licensed insolvency practitioner and managing partner of accountancy firm MHA, discusses common questions faced by directors seeking advice, addressing topics such as buying company assets during liquidation, the court-driven nature of the proce