Economy

UK inflation has eased to 3% in January, reaching its lowest level since March 2025 and sparking renewed debate over the timing of a Bank of England interest rate cut. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the slowdown from December's 3.4% was primarily driven by falling petrol pric

The UK economy experienced a period of stagnation in the final quarter of 2025, with official figures revealing a modest expansion to GDP of just 0.1%. This sluggish performance, confirmed by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), fell short of the 0.2% growth anticipated by City economists.

Nearly 80% of Chartered Accountants do not have confidence in the health of the Scottish economy and are calling for government action to make Scotland a more attractive place to do business, a new survey from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) has revealed. In the first poll

The outlook for both the Scottish and UK economies has improved and looks to remain positive through 2027, according to the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde. In its latest quarterly Economic Commentary, the Institute forecasts that the Scottish economy will have ended 20

Business confidence in Scotland remains weak, according to the latest Fraser of Allander Institute Scottish Business Monitor, with firms pointing to cost pressures, subdued investment and little expectation of short-term relief.

A new report highlights the success of Scottish companies which attended the world expo in Japan, generating orders for sectors including offshore wind, gaming, health technology and consumer products. Business delegations to Scotland Day showcase events at Expo 2025 Osaka have reported £23 mi

The global economy is expected to grow at a reasonable but not particularly exciting pace again this year, supported by easier monetary policy, fiscal stimulus in key economies and the continued artificial intelligence (AI) boom, but important downside risks remain in a volatile and unpredictable gl

Scotland’s onshore GDP grew by 0.3% in the three months to November 2025, unchanged from growth of 0.3% in the three months to October 2025, according to statistics announced by the Chief Statistician. In the three months to November, the largest positive contribution to headline GDP growth wa

Inflation has risen faster than expected, presenting a fresh challenge to the Bank of England’s plans for easing interest rates. New data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals that the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) reached 3.4% in the year to December, exceeding the 3.3% predicte

Predicting three bank rate cuts in 2026, Matthew Amis, investment director at Aberdeen Investments, has welcomed the uneventful start to the year for the UK gilt market, noting that a "dull" environment is exactly what is required after the volatility preceding the recent Budget. While the Budget&rs

The Scottish Government has announced its latest fiscal plans in its 2026-2026 Budget, branding it as as a "budget for families". Prioritising immediate support for households while introducing future reforms to property taxation, the proposals focus heavily on supporting the NHS, enhancing public s

The Bank of England has delivered a pre-Christmas boost to borrowers, cutting the base interest rate by 25 basis points to 3.75%. This reduction, which brings rates to their lowest level in nearly three years, was driven by a deteriorating labour market and signs that price rises will continue to sl

Scotland’s onshore GDP grew by 0.2% in the three months to October 2025, maintaining the growth rate seen in the previous quarter. However, monthly figures announced by the Chief Statistician reveal a continued pattern of volatility. The economy contracted by 0.2% in October alone, following a

A steeper-than-expected fall in November’s inflation figures has all but cemented expectations for an interest rate cut when the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meets tomorrow.

Scotland’s labour market is presenting a picture of resilience and strain as 2025 draws to a close, showing simultaneous increases in both employment and unemployment, alongside a decrease in economic inactivity, according to the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data. While employme