Business

Analysis ‘On a knife edge’ - can Britain’s economy avoid a recession?
“The government needs to come up with a credible plan to solve the productivity puzzle” – Julian Jessop, Institute of Economic Affairs
Scott Reid

Oil giant BP has announced a raft of job cuts

BP to axe 4,700 jobs globally amid cost-cutting drive

An under-pressure Chancellor will welcome the news that the annual rate of consumer prices index (CPI) inflation fell to 2.5 per cent last month from 2.6 per cent in November. Most analysts had been expecting the inflation rate to remain unchanged but a fall in hotel prices helped offset a jump in the cost of fuel last month.

Analysis Truth about December’s inflation dip - and why it might not last long

Kate Forbes at Dundee’s Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc

Wilkie creates 600 jobs in green manufacturing push

Scotland’s private sector ended 2024 on a sour note after a sharp contraction in output.

Exclusive Three lessons from Scotland's December economy

SRUC senior lecturer Hadi Aliki (left) and Jim Fairlie MSP at the launch of the SRUC Vertical Farming Innovation Centre.

Scottish education first as college fires up £1.8 million ‘vertical farm’

Eddie Wighton (left) and Mike Pratt (right) of Invertay Homes

Why Scottish sustainable house building can learn lesson from EV sales

Scotland's Beard Festival Upgrades To A 2-Day Event For 2025

Scotland's Beard Festival will be two-day extravaganza for 2025

Julie Moulsdale - Perceptive Communicators

Specialist communications consultancy appointed to deliver comms for two leading...

Tigerbond CEO Laurna Woods

Tigerbond unveils Tigers in the Wild to support UK-wide community causes

First look at Nintendo Switch 2

Watch the first look at Nintendo Switch 2

A fuel tanker lorry being driven into the BP Plc fuel terminal in Hemel Hempstead in 2021 (Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

UK fuel company to cut thousands of jobs and contractor roles

(Photo: David Potter/Construction Photography/Avalon/Getty Images)

Budget clothing to chain to close three UK stores by end of January

£200 payments available through local Household Support Fund schemes

Edinburgh continued to be Scotland’s hotspot, with hotel deals in the capital accounting for 58 per cent of the 2024 total.

Why Edinburgh is leading Scotland's £431 million hotel sale boom

Grangemouth staff face an anxious wait over its future

Labour MP brands Starmer response over Grangemouth 'underwhelming'

Alistair Cameron, chief executive of Kelso-based Scotmas Group.

Why this Scottish firm's water tech matters - £2.2m for global expansion

A man passes the entrance to a Lloyds Banking Group office in the City of London

Lloyds to close Scottish office and put hundreds of jobs at risk

Lindsay and Ross from Bostock

The best bakery in the Lothians is getting bigger

Fleet Systems Technology

Lothian unveils freeway fleet systems technology to improve operations

The Ootsider founder John Keogh.

The Ootsider to expand help for homeless with £40,000 First Port award

A man passes the entrance to a Lloyds Banking Group office in the City of London (Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Major bank announces second office closure in one day - jobs affected

Currys CEO Alex Baldock speaks during a 'PM Connect' event at the Currys Repair Centre in 2023 (Photo: JOE GIDDENS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Major electrical retailer warns of reduced hiring from Budget measures

Scotsman Investment Conference 2024

Why it's time to sign up for the annual Scotsman Investment Conference

MCR Property Group has completed the acquisition of CityPark Glasgow, an iconic former tobacco factory on Alexandra Parade that has since been converted into a vast centre for business, creativity and leisure.

Historic Glasgow tobacco factory housing vast business centre sold

A man passes the entrance to a Lloyds Banking Group office in the City of London (Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Banking group to close major UK office, impacting 500 staff

We’ll build stronger startup communities with AI’s help Barry McDonald

Paul Hilton, CEO of leading Scottish property portal ESPC, shares his insights into what he thinks will happen in the housing market in 2025.

Exclusive What next for house buyers and sellers? ESPC boss reveals 2025 trends

Tourists look at apartments in the window shop of a real estate on the island of Ibiza (Photo: JAIME REINA/AFP via Getty Images)

Spain proposes 100% property tax hike that could keep out UK expats

(Photo: Pexels)

The best fitness and dieting apps offering January deals

(Photos: Getty Images)

Martin Lewis shares how to book a Travelodge room for £35 or less

Why Scotland’s private sector suffered an end-of-year contraction

Carol Graham, marketing director; Robert Graham, managing director; and Dr Robert Graham, chairman of Graham's Family Dairy, launch #PoweredByGrahams, a 30-day challenge aimed at highlighting the benefits of consuming protein to aid in exercise recovery. Picture by Peter Dibdin

Famous Scottish dairy firm targets fitness fanatics with new protein ice cream

Where: 14-17 Bruntsfield Pl, Edinburgh EH10 4HN

Chef Tom Kitchin announces closure of Michelin-hailed restaurant

(Photos: Getty Images/Pexels)

UK cinema chain to close city centre sites amid restructuring plans

(Photo: Getty Images)

Huge UK-wide rail sale offering up to 50% off tickets for travel

(Photo: SUSANNAH IRELAND/AFP via Getty Images)

Child Benefit payments to rise for millions of UK households in April

Edinburgh College's Granton Campus

'Grave consequences' over Scotland's failure to invest in skills

Increased windfall taxes on the UK's offshore oil and gas industries would cost the sector about £13 billion over the next five years and lead to a fall in tax receipts, a trade body has warned. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

John Swinney urged to give 'full-throated support' to oil and gas

(Photo: Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images)

Major coffee chain making big in-store rule change

Trust Equation is secret weapon for social media success in 2025

Pitreavie Group operates from Aberdeen, Glenrothes and two locations in Cumbernauld, where it is headquartered.

Macfarlane Group seals ‘unique and exciting’ £18m takeover of Scottish rival

(Photos: Pexels/Social Market Way)

I'm a career coach: this question ruins job interviews - how to answer

A man walks a dog in the snow in Carluke, in South Lanarkshire

The surprise town where the highest percentage of houses rose in value

Plans: Curtis Walker (l) with John Loudon.

Walker to lead Hybrid Anchor growth plan as new MD

Co-op Funeralcare

From fast food to funerals: 'I became a single mum at 19, now I’m 25 and have la...

Tropical rainforest mural

Community unites to brighten care home with vibrant mural

James Heaton, Senior Director of Virgin Money Agriculture in Scotland

Virgin Money promotes for continued growth across Scotland

Grosvenor Casino Aberdeen Gaming Academy. Left to Right: Lilia Rank, Bradley Salmon, Konrad Beres (Gaming Supervisor) and Lewis Wilson.

Trainees roll the dice on a new casino career

Ryanair wants a two-drink alcohol limit on all airport passengers

Edinburgh's TolboothTavern

Edinburgh spearheads 'scale-up' business system

It's not as simple as it once was for all documents pertinent to a case to be gathered in one place, says Vicky Crichton

Making good law gets tougher all the time

(Photo: David Potter/Construction Photography/Avalon/Getty Images)

Energy firm handing out £200 grants to pensioners - how to apply

(Photos: Pexels)

How to fund your side hustle - top ways to finance a passion project

(Photo: Pexels)

How to keep New Year’s budget resolutions alive - 7 practical tips

Smart data will go mainstream in 2025, says Linda King (Picture: stock.adobe.com

The importance of smart data is only set to grow

(Photos: Getty Images)

All of the shops and retailers warning of coming April price hikes

(Photo: Pexels)

Blue Monday: how to turn 2025's ‘saddest day’ into a financial win

Broadford has a population of about 1,100

Row over temporary village with 350 beds planned for island town

If you're smart now you should be able to watch your finances grow throughout the year (Picture: Adobe)

Your financial checklist for 2025 - Martyn James

The Lookout by Gardener's Cottage restaurant, on Edinburgh's Calton Hill, closed last month

Restaurants are in real trouble. So forget the diet and dry January Stephen Jardine

Gas still plays a crucial role in the UK's energy supply, but times are changing (Picture: Ashley Cooper/Construction Photography/Avalon)

UK energy security will not always depend on gas, but it does just now Scotsman comment

Business rates, along with a number of other factors, have forced the closure of the Gather at Laggan restaurant, according to its owner

Edinburgh’s hotel boom collides with rural gloom

Last-minute Christmas shoppers might have been out in force but sales across the crucial golden trading quarter were flat.

December delivers for Scottish retailers as Black Friday and Xmas lift sales

You could be sitting on riches - check for unclaimed Lottery tickets

Yields on 10-year gilts hit the highest point since 2008 on Thursday, at 4.89%, before settling later in the afternoon, sitting one basis point higher for the day at 4.82% when London’s market closed.

Analysis Gilts are volatile - should you be worried about your mortgage?

It’s about more than just the money – how to make your voice heard after you’ve gone

Ad Feature Scottish law: Why appointing an executor of your will is important

(Photos: Pexels)

Nightclubs warn tax hikes could push venues to closure

(Photos: Getty Images)

Cold snap sparks gas shortage fears with 'a week's worth left'

We need to make sure people across Scotland have the digital skills for the future (Picture: stock.adobe.com)

Generative AI alone can’t transform the Scottish economy

(Photo: SUSANNAH IRELAND/AFP via Getty Images)

Millions receiving Universal Credit can expect increases of £10 soon

(Photo: Damian Gillie/Construction Photography/Avalon/Getty Images)

Second-biggest UK supermarket gives staff pay rise after record sales

NatWest Group and Josh Littlejohn MBE, founder of Social Bite, launch The British Business Awards, supported by Sting, Sir Bob Geldof, Alan Jope CBE as chair, and 18 leaders from British industry

Why Sting, Geldof and £200bn of businesses are teaming up in Edinburgh