The Scottish agriculture sector requires future funding certainty due to the long-term nature of investment decisions and long lead-in time for farmers, crofters and land managers, according to rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon. Ms Gougeon has written to the new secretary of state for environmen
Scottish Government
John Swinney, MSP for Perthshire North, has been elected as convener of the Cross-party Group on Social Enterprise in the Scottish Parliament, alongside Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, taking on the role of vice convener. The Cross-Party Group on Social Enterprise (the CPG) is on
Innovation Minister Richard Lochhead is set to promote Scotland's space sector and its aims to business leaders in Germany, saying it should be a “force for good”. Scotland is leading by example through the sustainable design, manufacture and launch of small satellites to monitor the eff
Scottish authorities may soon have the power to levy up to double the full rate of council tax on second homes if draft regulations before the Scottish Parliament are approved.
Thirty-five business representative groups and industry bodies have jointly written to the Scottish Government’s Deputy First Minister and Finance Secretary asking her to freeze the business rate in the coming financial year. The thirty-five organisations represent a broad cross section of Sco
The Scottish Government has unveiled new funding initiatives aimed at promoting entrepreneurship among under-represented communities. A total of 42 recipients will share £1.6 million through the Ecosystem Fund, while 20 projects will receive £1.3m through a new Pre-Start Pathways Fund.
A panel of experts which includes executives from global finance firms have backed First Minister Humzah Yousaf's plan to issue Scottish Government bonds. The panel of experts recommended that a Scottish Bond issue could significantly raise Scotland’s international financial profile, build its
The Scottish Government has unveiled its strategic implementation plan to reinforce its cooperation with the business sector, based on recommendations from the New Deal for Business Group. This initiative, geared towards bolstering policy formulation and creating a wellbeing economy, will unfold ove
Scotland is poised to issue its own government bond for the first time, a move set to finance critical infrastructure projects. First Minister Humza Yousaf disclosed plans for the bond's issuance by the culmination of the current parliamentary tenure, following comprehensive due diligence and analys
The Scottish Government is holding discussions with key build to rent (BTR) investors in London to discuss the Scottish rental housing market and reform proposals, The meeting was facilitated by property firm Rettie & Co at the request of Minister for Housing Paul McLennan.
A delegation of Scottish Parliament MSPs have made their way to India for the first time this week with the ambition of boosting fintech trade links. The group of MSPs, led by the convener of the Scottish Parliament Cross-Party Group on India, Pam Gosal, will visit the new Parliament of India buildi
Scotland’s space industry is primed to be a world leader, asserts innovation minister Richard Lochhead, who is set to showcase Scotland's prowess at the Space Economy Summit in Los Angeles.
A proposal to increase the minimum unit price (MUP) of alcohol by 15 pence per unit to 65 pence is included in a new consultation on the future of the public health policy. Views are being sought on whether to continue the MUP legislation beyond the current term which ends next April, and the level
Dalkeith-based social enterprise, the Energy Training Academy (ETA), specialising in offering high-quality training in the gas and renewables sector, has secured a £300,000 investment from the Catalyst Fund. The ETA was launched earlier this year by seasoned entrepreneurs Andrew Lamond an
With millions in funding secured, ETZ Ltd, a not-for-profit company tasked with spearheading North East Scotland’s energy transition ambition, has unveiled its plans to build a transformative Energy Transition Skills Hub that aims to equip the workforce of the future with the skills industry n