Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) has said the UK government's Autumn Budget offers little meaningful support to unlock the growth potential of rural Scotland. Ahead of the Budget, SLE wrote to the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves MP, urging targeted measures to ease pressures on rural businesses – i
Autumn Statement
Taxi and private hire fares are set to rise significantly as a result of changes in the Autumn Budget which will impose VAT at 20% on most taxi private vehicle hire fares from the start of 2026, writes Greg McNally. The change is expected to raise approximately £700 million a year. It effectiv
Leading figures in the Scotland's whisky industry have criticised Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ decision to increase alcohol duty in the Autumn Budget, warning the move will stifle growth, cost jobs, and reduce government revenue. The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) described the RPI inflation-lin
Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her second Budget today under chaotic circumstances, as the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) accidentally released its economic forecasts before she had even taken to the despatch box. Reeves branded the breach "deeply disappointing" and a "serious error", co
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed her second Budget will be delivered on Wednesday, 26 November, setting the stage for a critical fiscal statement amid a turbulent economic backdrop. After a challenging first year in power, the UK government is under pressure to stabilise the economy following
The Chancellor's Autumn Statement of 2023 has been met with a mixed reception from Scottish tax experts, who highlight both positives and concerns in the outlined fiscal plans. Susie Walker, partner and head of tax at Johnston Carmichael, noted that while the 'full expensing' tax break favours large
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has announced a slew of financial measures aimed at bolstering the economy by aiding businesses, pensioners, the hospitality industry, and the self-employed.
The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has praised the Chancellor's decision to maintain the current 10.1% alcohol duty rates, providing a much-needed reprieve for the sector, saying that the decision to cancel a further hike provides “much-needed stability” for distillers. The decision sho
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) has communicated pressing concerns to the Chancellor ahead of the Autumn Budget Statement, stressing the urgency for financial reforms to stimulate the UK economy. In a critical open letter, the ACCA pinpointed three core areas requiring imme
Vishal Chopra, head of tax for KPMG UK in Scotland, discusses the expected fiscal measures in tomorrow's Autumn Statement, highlighting the economic challenges and potential tax policy changes in both the UK and Scotland. The Autumn Statement looks set to be as gloomy as the current economic ou
Amidst the economic turbulence of high inflation, soaring public debt, and the highest tax burden since World War Two, Armstrong Watson's experts comment on what to expect as the Autumn Statement approaches with high anticipation. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is poised on a tightrope, balancing calls for

