UK government borrowing hit £17.4 billion in October, the second-highest figure for the month on record. This surge, driven by increased public sector wages and rising debt interest payments, raises concerns about potential future tax hikes.
Uk Government
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has unveiled a series of transformative reforms in her first Mansion House speech, focusing on pensions, financial regulation, and the advice-guidance framework. Speaking on 14 November, Chancellor Reeves underscored the need for a more growth-oriented approach to financial
The multi-million-pound Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal has been signed by UK and Scottish governments as well as Falkirk Council as part of a package that will strengthen the local economy and create more than a thousand jobs over the next 10 years. Up to 1660 jobs and £628m worth of econ
RBS-owner NatWest Group has repurchased £1 billion worth of its shares from the UK government, further reducing the Treasury's stake in the bank from 14.2% to 11.4%. This marks a significant reduction in the Treasury's holding, which stood at approximately 38% in December 2023. The government
The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has criticised the Chancellor’s decision to further increase duty on Scotch Whisky has broken the Prime Minister’s commitment to "back Scotch producers to the hilt". In her first Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced an retail price index (RPI) in
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed a rise in capital gains tax (CGT) and employers' national insurance contributions (NIC) in today's Autumn Budget statement.
Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) has urged the UK government to use the upcoming budget to implement fiscal reforms that support rural communities, tackle climate change, and ensure the sustainable future of the rural economy. In a pre-budget submission, SLE outlines critical areas requiring g
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to increase capital gains tax (CGT) on the sale of shares and other assets, but will leave the rate on second homes and buy-to-let properties unchanged.
An Aberdeen tax expert has warned that potential drastic changes to Inheritance Tax (IHT) and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) as part of Labour’s Autumn Budget could stifle wealth creation and cost the Treasury more than it hopes to generate. The upcoming Budget on 30 October, the first of the new Lab
First Minister John Swinney met with Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Edinburgh to push for increased public investment in the upcoming UK budget. Mr Swinney stressed the need for "investment in our public services and in our infrastructure to stimulate the growth that all of us want to see delivered
As the UK's Labour government celebrates 100 days in office, ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) has urged the new government to stick to its priorities of putting economic growth at the heart of its agenda for the country. The accounting body also asks for more clarity on its
A freedom of information request has revealed that 18 individuals have voluntarily donated almost £620,000 to the Treasury this year alone. Since 2003, over 150 donations totalling £4.7 million have been made, including bequests left in the wills of 27 people.
The UK government has unveiled new measures to support small businesses and the self-employed by tackling the scourge of late payments, which is costing small businesses £22,000 a year on average and leads to 50,000 business closures a year.
The UK government has introduced a bill which permit cryptocurrency and other digital assets to be classified as personal property. The Property (Digital Assets etc) Bill, which enacts the recommendations of the Law Commission of England and, was introduced in Parliament yesterday.
Reforms to Inheritance Tax (IHT), Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and employer National Insurance (NI) could raise over £20 billion a year, and still pass a 'triple tax test' of improving tax efficiency, ensuring that tax rises fall on those with the broadest shoulders and not break Labour's manifesto