Covid-19

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has said that it will take companies to court if they do not refund people for holidays and weddings which have been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Consumer spending has plunged by a third during the coronavirus pandemic, a study from the University of St Andrews Centre for Responsible Banking and Finance has revealed.

The Scottish Government is to convene regular meetings of the strategic leadership group on oil and gas and energy transition with a renewed focus to work in partnership with the industry to identify actions to support the sector and its workforce during the coronavirus crisis. The oil and gas secto

Edinburgh-based private bank Hampden & Co has reported strong annual results for the year to 31st December 2019 with income up 36% to £8.7 million from £6.4m in 2018.  The bank has also reported that client deposits have grown by 53% to reach £409.4m (2018: £267

The Law Society of Scotland has today announced a £2.2 million package of financial support for the solicitor profession in response to the coronavirus. The professional body’s governing Council has agreed that, for the 2020/21 practice year:

Results from the latest British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Coronavirus Business Impact Tracker reveal that the majority of UK businesses did not intend to seek financial support through CBILS bank loans and most of those who had applied were awaiting a decision or had been unsuccessful.

Barclays and Santander have seen profits drop dramatically in the first quarter of 2020 as the two banks prepare for the economic difficulties stemming from the coronavirus pandemic. Profits at Barclays have dropped by 38% as its pre-tax profits for the three months to March stood at £913 mill

Scotland's chief statistician has released statistics showing that the amount of retail goods bought in Scotland fell by -1.1% during January to March 2020.

UK GDP growth is expected to range from around -5% to -10% for 2020, according to new analysis from PwC. This estimate reflects the growing body of evidence that the short term decline in activity due to the lockdown will be greater than originally anticipated.

The Scottish Government is to fully fund a new infrastructure programme for pop-up walking and cycling routes or temporary improvements to existing routes to better enable physical distancing

A new industry report conducted by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) reveals that the government’s current proposed aid package does not work for the horticultural industry and that a third of UK growers claim they will be insolvent by the end of June because of the impact of coronavi

The UK Government has announced that small businesses will benefit from a new fast-track finance scheme providing loans with a 100% government-backed guarantee for lenders. Under the new initiative, businesses will be able to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000 and access the cash within d

Marketing Edinburgh, Edinburgh's tax-payer funded tourism marketing company, has been fined for failing to file its accounts on time.

Business confidence in Scotland fell 43 points during April to -50%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Bank of Scotland Commercial Banking.

HSBC has announced that its profits before tax have dropped by 48% to $3.2 billion as the coronavirus pandemic wreaks havoc on the global economy.