Towns and communities in North Lanarkshire will benefit from £1.243 billion investment over the next five years to transform them into vibrant, thriving, sustainable places, the local authority has revealed. North Lanarkshire Council said local people are at the heart of its ambitious vision a
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A group of parents are suing California over schools' "promotion" of Aztec gods and deities who were once honoured with human sacrifice. Part of a new model curriculum on ethnic studies invites pupils to chant about Tezkatlipoka, Quetzalkoatl, Huitzilopochtli, and Xipe Totek.
Virgin Money, owner of Glasgow-based Clydesdale Bank, has announced that it will close 31 branches across the UK, with 12 set to close in Scotland. The bank currently has 55 branches in Scotland.
The 7.5% rise in VAT – which takes effect on Friday - will hit the hospitality industry, slow the recovery and even trigger permanent closures, according to Scott Craig, partner and head of VAT at accountancy firm Azets. The original cut, from 20% to 5%, came into effect on 1 July 2020 but fro
With the number of Scottish fintech SMEs having grown by more than 50% during the 18 months of the pandemic, chartered accountants Wylie & Bisset is urging these early-stage firms to explore the range of funding and commercialisation opportunities at their disposal. Wylie & Bisset partner An
The Hebridean Housing Partnership (HHP) has secured a £25 million funding package from the Royal Bank of Scotland to support its current and future operations in some of Scotland’s most remote communities.
abrdn has announced the launch of a new investment strategy that is designed to address some of the key concerns of investors who want a greater focus on responsible and sustainable issues, including climate change, without sacrificing returns. The Responsible Global Asset Strategies (RGAS) Fund pre
Businesses emerging from the Covid-induced cocoon of furlough payments used to retain their workforce since the pandemic struck are now facing the cold wind of scrutiny as HMRC gears up to claw back any cash that may have been handed over in error, writes Christine Rolland, forensic accounting
Annual house price growth eased back to 10.0%, from 11.0% in August, according to the latest Nationwide House Price Index.
A Scottish DJ-turned-entrepreneur that made his dream of opening a pizza shop a reality has won a national business award. Stephen Kirkwood has been involved in the music industry for the past six years, producing music and performing DJ sets across the world. He also ran a social enterprise for dis
Glenmorangie has transformed its boutique Highland hotel into a sensory playground, where guests can immerse themselves in its delicious and wonderful world.
Business confidence in Scotland rose five points during September to 39%, the second consecutive month of growth, according to the latest Business Barometer from Bank of Scotland Commercial Banking. Scottish firms reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up 14 point
New research by Barclays Corporate Banking has revealed that the hospitality and leisure industry is thriving again and could contribute £250 million more to Scotland’s economy this year than in 2019.
More than 2,000 jobs will be created with Social Security Scotland over the next 12 months, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced. Recruitment will start in October for staff to support the delivery of benefits due to be introduced next year, including the Adult Disability Payment – the
A lawyer caught driving while nearly four times the drink-drive limit claimed that homemade kombucha tea was to blame. Louise Taylor, 41, told a court in Llandudno, Wales that she was not a drinker and had been given the tea by a friend for her gut health.

