News

HSBC Group has announced a further $4.8 billion (c. £3.7bn) payout to shareholders, comprising a $3bn (c. £2.3bn) share buyback and $1.8bn (c. £1.4bn) in dividends. This comes as the bank reported a 1.5% increase in pre-tax profit to $8.9bn (c. £6.9bn) for the second quarter.

The Bank of England (BoE) has invited views from the private sector on its approach to innovation in money and payments. Building on the BoE’s work to date, the newly published discussion paper asks for responses on the next step in a wide-ranging conversation on how to deliver an ambitio

Business confidence in Scotland rose eight points during July to 51%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Bank of Scotland. Companies in Scotland reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up one point at 45%. When taken alongside their optimism in the eco

Scotland’s onshore GDP grew by 0.3% in May, following growth of 0.2% in April, according to statistics announced by the Chief Statistician. In the three months to May, GDP is estimated to have grown by 0.9% compared to the previous three month period. This indicates an increase relative to the

Livingston Designer Outlet has achieved a record-breaking performance in the first half of 2024, posting a 2.8% year-on-year sales uplift.

Postmasters whose convictions have been overturned by the Post Office Offences Act can now apply to the Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme, including those in Scotland. The scheme aims to ensure that postmasters receive redress without unnecessary bureaucracy.

Detached homes are the most popular among people moving home as buyers seek more privacy and space, according to the latest Lloyds Bank Home Mover Review.

Edinburgh-based golf technology company, Shot Scope, has secured $8.5 million (c. £6.6m) in a Series B funding round. Led by Guinness Ventures, the funding will fuel Shot Scope's global expansion, allowing the company to offer its subscription-free, performance-enhancing technology such as GPS

Bus operator McGill’s Group has made new appointments and changes to strengthen its senior leadership team, with Robbie Drummond CA joining as finance director. Mr Drummond has also been appointed company secretary. He is a Chartered Accountant who in recent years has led and transformed trans

Irn-Bru maker AG Barr has reported strong sales growth for the first half of the year, driven by the success of its soft drinks brands, particularly Irn-Bru, during the Euros. Revenue for the period is expected to be around £221 million, a 5% increase compared to the same period last year.

Angus Council has launched its small to medium enterprise (SME) Start and Grow Business Grant Scheme. Funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, grants ranging between £500-£7,000 are available to eligible businesses to offer financial support under six key themes:

A Scottish primary school teacher has gone from being forced to take a career break due to long Covid to picking up a national award for her new music and movement franchise. Mairi Curle took on franchise business Boogie Beat for Edinburgh, Mid and East Lothian at the beginning of 2023, having taken

Drinks giant Diageo has reported its first decline in global sales since the pandemic, however, the UK defied the trend, thanks to a surge in popularity of Guinness and related products. Sales of Guinness and its variants, such as Guinness 0.0 and Nitrosurge, soared in the UK, leading to a 5% increa

St James’s Place (SJP), the UK's largest wealth manager, has staged a dramatic comeback after a turbulent period. Despite a plummeting share price, since 2022, and a £426 million customer refund scandal, SJP's newly announced £500m cost-cutting programme and better-than-expected ha

The rules governing financial services could be streamlined to reduce burdens on businesses, following a review launched by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The move comes after the introduction of the Consumer Duty, which makes sure that businesses deliver good outcomes for consumers when the