Opinion

Temple Melville, CEO of the Scotcoin Project CIC, details why Scotland should implement a digital currency. A great deal has been made of digital and cryptocurrencies since the start of the pandemic. Many countries have either introduced, or announced plans to launch, their own digital currencies to

Iain Masterton, head of VAT at accountants Chiene + Tait, warns small businesses that the MTD deadline is approaching. On 1 April, the final implementation phase of HMRC’s Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT comes into effect. From that date, any VAT-registered business or charitable organisation

Tom Stocker, partner and anti-corruption expert at Pinsent Masons, on why the international fight against global corruption has been halted. A new report from Transparency International (TI) suggests the fight against global corruption has stalled, with more than 80 per cent of countries making litt

A fee-share law firm this week announced that it is the first top 200 UK law firm to take payment in cryptocurrency. It claims this means it can work with a wider variety of clients and its ‘partners’ (self-employed consultant solicitors) can be paid how they choose. Other firms, however

James McGachie, legal director in DLA Piper’s litigation and regulatory practice, discusses firms' need for cyber resilience. Ransomware – malicious software used by criminals to encrypt information until a ransom is paid – poses a growing danger to both private and public sector o

The imposition of additional trade and financial sanctions by the UK, US and EU against Russia will have major implications for businesses and merits preparatory contingency planning, writes Stacy Keen, senior associate at Pinsent Masons. The UK government this week introduced sanctions which c

Christine Convy, specialist restructuring and insolvency practitioner at Dunedin Advisory, discusses options for companies who are questioning their viability. With the ending of government covid support measures and govt backed loan schemes now having to be repaid, it’s no surprise that compa

John McHugh, managing partner of DM Hall Chartered Surveyors, discusses the state of Scottish property in light of the current cost of living crisis. This time last year, amid frenzied activity in the residential property market in Scotland, driven by the unprecedented external factors of which we a

Betsy Williamson, managing director of recruitment firm Core-Asset Consulting and Jamie Mariani, portfolio manager with Trillium Asset Management, socially responsible investment specialists, discuss how the lack of regulation and a talent gap is hindering Scotland's ESG investment sector. Scotland

Betsy Williamson, founder and managing director of Core-Asset Consulting, details the steps businesses can take to close the talent gap. The global economy is currently experiencing massive change. Staffing crises are affecting sectors from haulage, to food service and healthcare.

Michael Reid, managing partner, Meston Reid & Co, offers advice on how to manage personal debt. Personal financial difficulties can sometimes arise quickly and without warning. Sometimes it’s down to matters outwith the control of the individual: redundancy, perhaps, or a relationship brea

Tom Dorner and Stuart Brown, managers of the ASI Europe ex UK Income Equity fund, which is run by abrdn, discuss how European equity income can offer help in an uncertain global market. 2021 was great for equity investors. The strong economic recovery from Covid-19 supported significant positive ear

Duncan Cockburn, chief executive of One Banks Hub, discusses how the bank is trying to bridge the growing digital divide in Scotland. There used to be three banks on the high street of Kilwinning, a small town in Ayrshire. However, three years ago the last branch, the Royal Bank of Scotland, closed,

The gambling industry awaits the outcome of an imminent white paper which is sure to deal operators a fresh deck of cards which may not all be to their liking, writes Audrey Ferrie, legal director and licensing specialist at Pinsent Masons. The existing Gambling Act 2005 came into force in 2007

Michael Reid, managing partner at Meston Reid & Co, looks at the current trends in insolvencies in Scotland. I recall the harbingers of doom and their forecasts that 2021 would bring large-scale corporate and personal insolvencies.