Scottish Government

Energy firm Drax Group has received approval from the Scottish Government to construct a new £500 million underground pumped storage hydro plant at its existing Cruachan facility in Argyll. The decision, made through the Section 36 process, represents a significant step in Scotland's journey t

Clare Paterson writes about the initiatives and efforts undertaken by the Scottish Government and the construction industry to reform the process of construction procurement, discussing recent workshops focused on streamlining procurement, increasing collaboration, and improving outcomes. On average

Ahead of the 1 October licence applications deadline, housing minister Paul McLennan discusses the importance of the short term let licensing scheme in Scotland, looking at its benefits to tourism and local economies, and addressing potential safety and housing availability risks. A few weeks ago, I

UK-based spaceflight company Orbex has extended its footprint by over 30% across its Scottish and Danish design and production facilities in preparation for the launch of its Prime rocket.

Just Enterprise, a collective of 11 Scottish social enterprise support organisations, has received a £4.75 million grant from the Scottish Government to help bolster financial resilience and growth within the social enterprise sector The four-year initiative will provide early stage social ent

In a move to strengthen Scotland's position as a European hub for startups, the Scottish Government has announced it will deliver a funding package worth £17.5 million this year.

Scotland is set to create its first two Investment Zones in the Glasgow City Region and the North East, with up to £160 million of targeted investment, tax reliefs, and other incentives being earmarked over the next five years. This joint initiative by the Scottish and UK governments aims to b

The Scottish Government has established a Tax Advisory Group to deliver strategic advice on the tax system as part of its Medium-Term Financial Strategy. This move is aligned with a recommendation from the New Deal for Business. The newly-formed group consists of leading economists, academics, and r

Social enterprises in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray can now apply for a share of a £2 million funding pot designed to support the third sector with the transition to net zero. The Social Enterprise Just Transition Fund, backed by the Scottish Government, offers between £20,000 and &p

The implementation of Scotland's Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) has been postponed until at least October 2025. The announcement comes in response to the UK government's refusal to grant a full exemption from the Internal Market Act, according to Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater. The UK governmen

Scottish Circular Economy Minister, Lorna Slater, is to reassess the feasibility of the nation's deposit return scheme due to a Westminster decision to exclude glass from the initiative. This scheme was slated for launch in March of next year. Ms Slater accuses the UK government of sabotaging the pr

The Scottish Government has published the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill, potentially enabling councils to introduce a tourist tax on overnight stays.

The Deputy First Minister, Shona Robison, has announced a strategy for economic growth, progressive taxation, and targeted spending, aiming to bolster the country's economy and enhance public services amidst mounting financial challenges. The medium-term financial strategy outlines the Scottish Gove

Trade and Innovation Minister Richard Lochhead will meet business leaders during a visit to Spain aimed at unlocking new trade and investment opportunities. Spain is a priority market in the Scottish Government's growth export plan, A Trading Nation, worth £623 million in goods exports in 2022

Scotland's shops and eateries have experienced a decline in business rates, following the Scottish Government's revaluation which commenced last month, resulting in an approximate 10% reduction in business rate bills. The largest decreases are seen in bigger establishments, with retail bills droppin