News

Edinburgh-based energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie (WoodMac) has predicted oil exploration costs will fall by a third next year. But the welcome forecast comes as news emerged yesterday that industry giantsShell and Taqa have both announced plans to cut hundreds of North Sea jobs.

Consultancy Dunfermline Housing Finance (DHF) has reminded RSLs that 31 March is an important date relating to claims for fixed rate overcharges or even mis-selling of interest rate swaps. A Financial Conduct Authority-led initiative requires many RSLs to submit a request for a review of arrangement

Deputy first minister John Swinney MSP was the special guest at a seminar on taxation in Scotland, and his contribution on topics ranging from the launch of Revenue Scotland to the importance of a progressive tax structure was welcomed by the audience in the Laigh Hall, Parliament House, Edinburgh.

Latest Office for National Statistics figures have revealed UK retail sales grew more strongly than expected in February. Sales were up 0.7 per cent compared with the previous month, according to the ONS.

Scott-Moncrieff has announced that it is to merge with Inverness firm Callander Colgan. The Glasgow and Edinburgh-based accountancy practice said the move will give it an increased presence in the Highlands and a permanent base from which to serve new and existing clients.

Edinburgh-based Royal Bank of Scotland has today announced that it has increased the number of shares it sold in US subsidiary Citizens from that previously stated due to a scramble from investors. RBS said that it could now sell up to 155m shares in the company, bringing in £2.5bn for the 80 per c

A committee of Westminster MPs have slammed HM Revenue and Customs for what they described as “too cosy” a relationship with large accountancy firms which advise wealthy individuals and corporations on how to avoid tax. A hard-hitting parliamentary report produced by the House of Commons Public

A new report published by the Scottish Government has put Royal Bank of Scotlandand Bank of Scotland owner Lloyds Banking Group’s combined share of the small and medium-sized business banking market north of the Border at more than 70 per cent. The dominance of RBS and Lloyds was underlined in the

A Scottish council has been forced to defend its £2.3 million investment in a multi-national tobacco company while at the same time promoting a host of anti-smoking public health initiatives. Scottish Borders Council came under fire from health charities over its pension fund’s investment in Brit

A change to the Community (Scotland) Empowerment Bill agreed by the local government and regeneration committee last week encourages public bodies to promote and facilitate participation with people and communities in decision making and budget setting. The move follows huge participation in last ye

Young adults are the most likely group to experience poverty in Scotland, with those renting privately at greatest risk, a new report has said. Research by the New Policy Institute (NPI) for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), found that young adults under 30 now make up the biggest share of those

Scotland has the highest proportion of people living in working households across the UK according to new figures. The Office of National Statistics (ONS) statistics on Working and Workless Households 2004 to 2014 show that 56.7 per cent of people live in working households in Scotland (October to D

The number of women on company boards has almost doubled over the past four years to just under a quarter, according to new figures. It is close to the target that was set to be achieved by 2015 by Lord Davies of Abersoch four years ago.

Alliance Trust has said that it is surprised by a move by investor interest group ShareSoc to support a boardroom overhaul proposed by American activist group Elliott Investors. The Dundee-based investment giant is at the heart of a tussle with leading shareholder Elliott, a US fund agitating for bo

Sir Gerry Grimstone, chairman of Edinburgh-based insurance giant Standard Life, has spoken out on the prospect of a British exist from the European Union. Speaking yesterday at City Week, a conference on how to maintain Britain's competitiveness as a financial centre, Sir Gerry (pictured) left littl