News

The number of UK businesses entering insolvency-related processes fell in the second quarter of 2026 but a decline in new company registrations suggests business confidence remains subdued.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published a package of reforms designed to improve transparency, strengthen access to market-wide information and support confidence in UK equity markets.

HMRC applied to shut down 4,761 businesses because of unpaid tax debts to the year end 31 March 2025, a 31% increase from 3,625 the previous year. The spike comes amid the tax authority stepping up its efforts to recover billions in outstanding tax liabilities, says the national accountancy group UH

Rising vehicle repair costs have increased the average motor insurance claim pay out to nearly £5000 in the second quarter of this year. The latest statistics from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) show that figure has jumped 4% on Q1 to sit at £4900.

NatWest, trading north of the border as Royal Bank of Scotland, has raised its guidance following a strong first-half performance. Operating profit before tax came in at £4.3 billion, from £3.6bn last time, while attributable profit rose to £3bn against £2.5bn for the first h

The Bank of England has held the cost of borrowing at 3.75% as it hardens its position on the impact of hostilities on the economy. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted 6-3 to leave rates unchanged, with more members voting for an increase. Last month the vote was 7-2. 

Lloyds Banking Group has reported a 23% rise in statutory half-year profit before tax to £4.3 billion as it benefited from higher total income and controlled costs. The result was above an average analyst forecast of £4.12bn and the bank’s £3.5bn profit in the same period &zw

The British Business Bank has allocated £3.5 million to Edinburgh-based Social Investment Scotland (SIS) to support underserved smaller businesses across several regions. SIS is the 8th Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) lender accredited by the British Business Bank under its Co

Aberdeen-based SBP Accountants & Business Advisers (SBP) has reinforced its senior management team with the appointment of Rhys Jones. Mr Jones brings more than 20 years of experience in the finance sector. 

Partners at Brodies, the Scottish law firm, received just shy of £1 million as it recorded its 16th consecutive year of growth, with all of its core practice areas making progress. Revenue rose 11% to £138.8m for the 12 months ending 30 April, compared with £125.3m in the previous

Lower profits and net inflows have been reported by St James’s Place (SJP) for the first half of 2026. The wealth manager’s net inflows fell almost 30% to £2.7bn, down from £3.8bn in the first half of 2025.

Rathbones, the wealth manager, has reported funds under management and administration have grown by 11% to £121 billion in the first half of 2026. The increase comes in the face of a “demanding” six months, according to the firm, which saw net outflows for the period sit at £

Scotland’s onshore GDP grew by 0.6% in the three months to May 2026, compared to the three months to February 2026, according to statistics announced today by the Scottish Government’s chief statistician. In the three months to May, the largest positive contribution to headline GDP growt

Top earners in Scotland could save more than £46,000 in income tax over five years if they commuted to work from England. Wealth manager Rathbones says clients and prospective clients who work in Scotland are increasingly questioning where they should live as the gap between Scottish and rest-

Aberdeen Group, the Edinburgh-based investment manager, has posted a strong first half with its DIY platform, interactive investor, once again the stand out performer, delivering record net inflows. However, there was no news on a permanent chairman to replace acting chair and senior independent dir