Opinion

Speaking ahead of the Spring Statement tomorrow, Vishal Chopra, head of tax in Scotland for KPMG UK, highlights his predictions. The Spring Statement wasn’t intended to be used to launch significant new tax-related measures, but an intensifying cost of living crisis, coupled with what many exp

Yvonne Dunn, partner and financial services technology expert at Pinsent Masons, discusses the opportunities made available to businesses through open finance. A 10-year road map strategy published for Scotland’s fintech hub has highlighted “open finance” data as a key theme.

Helen Mill, Aberdeen-based business coach and facilitator of The Alternative Board, offers advice to all business owners on planning an exit strategy. You have devoted a huge part of your life building up your business to where it is today. It has given you the chance to do what you love. You have m

Craig Kennedy of Dentons examines coming changes to property ownership transparency in the UK. Recent events in Ukraine have resulted in a revival of the UK's Economic Crime Bill, which aims to make it much harder for overseas entities to hide wealth in UK property. The Bill made rapid progress thro

John Rodger, part­ner and prop­erty spe­cial­ist at ac­coun­tants Chiene + Tait, discusses how the built to rent sector can help ease the UK's housing crisis. A range of global firms, including Scotlandfounded institutional investor Abrdn, have been ramping up their level of

Cryptocurrency is playing an incredibly important role in supporting the people of Ukraine, fulfilling the function it was initially created for, according to The Scotcoin Project CEO and cryptocurrency expert Temple Melville. Research from blockchain tracking company Elliptic found cryptocurrency e

Michael Reid, managing partner at Meston Reid & Co, discusses the intricacies of entering an insolvent liquidation process. The Meston Reid & Co insolvency team has already assisted a number of companies to enter an insolvent liquidation process, with many directors citing the ongoing effect

Douglas Grant, managing director of Conister, CEO at Manx Financial Group PLC, discusses why the UK Government must significantly reduce their leveraging of SMEs. As the successful vaccination and booster rollout continues in the UK and with restrictions subsiding, you would be forgiven for thinking

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