News

Aviva’s core locations are to remain in Bristol, Norwich, Sheffield, York and Perth following announcements that Britiain’s largest insurer is to close three offices in the wake of its takeover of Friends Life. The group had announced earlier this year that it is aiming to save £225m in costs b

Four senior executives at Edinburgh-based Lloyds Banking Group have sold more than £6.3 million worth of shares in the still partly state-owned lender. On Friday, chief risk officer Juan Colombas and group director of consumer finance Antonio Lorenzo each cashed-in on 2.75 million shares sold at al

Continuing political uncertainty in Scotland has left the nation’s businesses as the least confident area in the UK, according to a new report. The latest ICAEW/Grant Thornton UK Business Confidence Monitor has revealed that the political convulsions of the Independence Referendum and General Elec

New research has revealed that men are spending significantly more on leisure pursuits such as dining and drinking out, playing sports and buying new gadgets than women. A survey of more than 2,000 people, carried out for the VoucherCodes website, found that men typically splash out £80 more than w

Catriona Munro is a partner in the EU competition and regulatory team at Maclay Murray & Spens LLP Heralded by Which? as the “biggest change to consumer legislation in a generation,” the Consumer Rights Act 2015 could release a torrent of new damages claims against companies when it comes in

Anderson Strathern profits up 13 per cent Lawyers Anderson Strathern have posted profits up 13 per cent during the first six months of its financial year.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has published draft technical guidance on how Scottish taxpayer status should be decided. The move comes as the Scottish Parliament prepares to set its own Scottish rate of income tax (SRIT) from April 2016, as enabled by the provisions of the Scotland Act 2012.

David Lonsdale May saw footfall numbers in Scotland 1.8 per cent lower than a year ago, down on the 1.1 per cent rise in April, according to latest figures from the Scottish Retail Consortium.

Martin Gill Manufacturing in Scotland needs to be encouraged as the sector experiences a downturn in activity according to the accountants BDO.

Martin Gilbert Aberdeen Asset Management has struck a deal to issue £100m of non-voting, perpetual, non-cumulative, redeemable shares to Japanese bank Mitsubishi UFJ and Banking Corporation (MUTB).

Chris Harte Scottish law firm Morton Fraser has today announced an increase in turnover of 8 per cent to hit £18.3 million, with net profit up by 20 per cent to £6.6 million.

Dundee City Council has given its unanimous approval for a new scheme that will see the council buy homes from tenants in financial difficulty. The Scottish Government’s Home Owner Support Fund allows owners with money woes to sell their property to the council and become rent paying tenants.

KPMG has signalled its intention to target growth in its financial services, cyber security, restructuring, and tax teams in Scotland following a string of promotions at partner and director level. Andy Masters

Ray Entwistle An Edinburgh-based private bank aimed at high net worth clients has refused to rule out shifting its headquarters south of the Border.

David Mundell The UK government is to reject an amendment to the Scotland Bill which calls for full fiscal autonomy north of the border, the Scottish secretary has confirmed.