News

More than one in four businesses that deferred tax payments during the initial lockdown last year still owe HMRC billions of pounds. A total of 156,500 out of 590,000 businesses that utilised Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s VAT deferral between March and June have failed to make contact with HMRC to

The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC), the owner of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), has reported a 20% growth in total sales to £7.9 million at the time of its Initial Public Offering (IPO) last month.

Betsy Williamson, founder and managing director of Core-Asset Consulting, highlights the increasing importance of sustainable investing, spurred by the pandemic, and is urging those within the sector to upskill, or risk becoming defunct. Sustainable investing has “come of age” thanks to

Scots are preparing to return to the daily commute when Covid-19 restrictions are lifted, with many willing to pay extra in travel costs to protect the environment, according to new research from PwC. With restrictions still in place, 40% of Scots are currently spending at least one day a week worki

Embark Group, a UK retirement solutions provider, has announced plans to hire over 50 people in Dundee over the next few months as it continues to build out its platform operations in the city. The new employees will be part of Embark Platform, which provides market-leading technology for corporates

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is to be given new powers to fine companies that rip off customers, make misleading claims, or have unfair terms and conditions. It is expected that Kwasi Kwarteng, business secretary, will announce the proposals next week to strengthen the CMA's powers po

Nearly three in four UK exporters have reported no sales growth in the second quarter of this year, according to the latest data published by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

Grants to improve housing or build new homes in some of Scotland’s most remote and marginal communities have been awarded to 13 crofters. The Croft House Grants scheme aims to retain and attract people to rural and remote communities with the latest round of funding awarding grants worth &poun

A state-approved dating app has been released in Iran to stem the tide of divorces. Hamdan, which means "companion" in Persian, claims to find matches "only for bachelors seeking permanent marriage" – and just one wife.

Thorntons Investments has appointed Andrew McLean as a discretionary portfolio manager. The firm said that his appointment strengthens its client proposition during a time of growth for the business.

Rod Paris is set to retire as chief investment officer of abrdn at the end of 2021. In response to his departure, abrdn, formerly Aberdeen Standard Investments (ASI), has outlined a structure for its investment management team, organised around pillars of strategic importance for clients – pub

A solicitor who prepared false invoices for non-existent work in order to steal more than £12,500 from clients’ accounts and who pleaded guilty to embezzlement has been ordered to carry out unpaid work. Louise Sutherland, 60, took the money while employed at Graeme Murray & Co Solici

Edinburgh start-up Blockchain Technology Partners (BTP) has closed a seed round of £2 million, led by Force Over Mass, a London-based venture capital firm, and Signature Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund based in Munich and Berlin, with participation from angel investors inclu

Susannah Donaldson, legal director at Pinsent Masons, considers the impact of the pandemic on gender pay gap figures reported by large construction businesses. The Covid-19 pandemic has somewhat skewed gender pay gap (GPG) figures reported by large construction businesses for the year 2020

Edinburgh-based financial services company Nucleus Financial Group has seen its assets under administration (AUA) increase by 19% year on year, approaching the £19 billion mark. As of 30 June 2021, the company's AUA rose to £18.9 billion, up 19.2% year-on-year and 5.1% on the previous qu