Scottish Budget

Bruce Cartwright CA, CEO of ICAS, has responded to Holyrood's approval of The Scottish Government's 2025-26 Budget, describing it as a "short-term fix" lacking a long-term tax strategy and a clear reform roadmap for public services. The budget includes £21.7 billion for health and social care,

Among the SNP’s Scottish Budget proposals for the coming tax year, Finance Secretary Shona Robison announced increases to the income tax starter rate and basic rate thresholds, however these small tax savings do very little to ease the pain of fiscal drag for many. The starter rate threshold h

Wbg has responded to the Scottish Government’s Budget by noting that while it offers some good news for the hospitality sector, the lack of any changes to tax rates means that many Scots will still be paying higher rates than taxpayers in the remainder of the UK. Finance Secretary Shona Robiso

"More clarification needed" was the overarching view of tax specialists at MHA following unveiling of the Scottish Government’s Budget. Headlines may be written about an end to the two-child benefits cap and an extension of hospitality business rates relief; however, it is perhaps what hasn&rs

Scotland's business chiefs have reiterated calls to the Scottish government ahead of today's Budget announcement, stating that companies are at "breaking point" and require urgent support. Scottish Chambers of Commerce chief executive Dr Liz Cameron CBE said: “Scotland’s businesses are f

Ahead of today's Scottish Budget, ICAS CEO Bruce Cartwright CA has stressed the need for fiscal stability, urging the government to avoid constant income tax adjustments. He points out that the Scottish Government has "limited levers" with which it can "help boost the economy and alleviate some of t

The Scottish Budget needs to detail immediate actions to address the housing emergency, according to DJ Alexander Ltd. The property firm said that the Scottish Government needs to provide stimulus for the private building sector, provide clarity and stimulus to the private rented sector (PRS), put i

Amid mounting fiscal pressures and rising demands on public services, ACCA has called for a sharper focus on productivity and outcomes in the public sector as part of a transformational shift broadening the focus from cost-cutting and cost control. Published just ahead of the Scottish budget, the re

Nicola Campbell, partner with Azets, calls for tax stability and simplicity in this week’s Scottish Budget. Shona Robison, the Finance Secretary, will next week tackle the annual Hobson’s Choice of the Scottish Budget – pressure to raise more money to fund public services or risk d

Business figures have urged the Scottish Government to take immediate action to address mounting economic challenges. The call came at the Scottish Chambers of Commerce annual dinner where First Minister John Swinney, Labour leader Anas Sarwar MSP and Scottish Conservatives leader Russell Findlay MS

Despite increases in funding for Scotland from the UK government’s October Budget, Scottish Government Finance Minister Shona Robison has little room for manoeuvre when she presents her Budget for 2025-26 next week. This is the headline message of the Scotland's Budget Report 2024, published t

As Scotland anticipates the Budget announcement and a new government tax strategy on 4 December, Ross Stupart outlines what could help businesses to thrive north of the border. The Scottish Budget represents an opportunity to give Scotland’s businesses greater transparency on the government&rs

Scottish Financial Enterprise (SFE) has called on the Scottish Government to reverse its diverging income tax policy, warning that it is harming the economy. The financial and professional services industry organisation welcomed the Scottish Government’s focus on economic growth but urged mini

Scottish Finance Secretary Shona Robison has been urged to deliver "better news" for businesses under pressure after the UK government's £25 billion national insurance tax raid. Ahead of the Scottish Government Budget next week, Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce (AGCC) has set out a

Nine business groups representing the retail industry have jointly written to the Scottish Government’s Finance Secretary, Shona Robison MSP, asking her to ensure retailers in Scotland are awarded rates relief for 2025-26. It follows the decision unveiled in the UK Budget to award the retail,