The impact of tax changes on Scotland’s distinctive farming sector is either severely misunderstood or being deliberately ignored by the UK government, Scottish Land & Estates said today. The rural business organisation was speaking following the meeting HM Treasury held with some represen
Uk Government
The UK government is considering significantly reducing the scope of planned audit market reforms in an effort to reduce regulatory burdens on businesses and stimulate economic growth. Ministers are reportedly discussing abandoning a key measure of the Audit Reform and Corporate Governance Bill that
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves spoke at Siemens Healthineers in Oxfordshire on 29 January 2025. Rachel Reeves stressed why economic growth matters, how to achieve it, and "what we are going to do further and faster to deliver it."
The shortest-serving Prime Minister in UK history, Liz Truss, has taken legal action against Sir Keir Starmer over his claims that she "crashed the economy". According to The Telegraph, a cease and desist letter sent to the sitting prime minister by lawyers acting for Ms Truss claims his statements
Millions of women who were impacted by the equalisation of the pension age will not receive compensation despite a finding of "maladministration". The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) found in March 2024 that there was a 28-month delay in communicating changes to the state pension a
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has cautioned MPs against a "race to the bottom" in the pursuit of economic growth. FCA CEO Nikhil Rathi and chairman Ashley Alder addressed the Treasury Committee, emphasising the need for a balanced approach that considers consumer protection and market integr
A package of new measures to support small businesses and deliver growth has been set out by the UK government. The package, announced in the run up to Small Business Saturday this weekend includes targeted action to unleash the potential of disabled and female entrepreneurs, and a crackdown on late
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.
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.