The SNP leader is making demands he can’t achieve in order to avoid the party’s shortcomings and widen the divide with Westminster, says TERRY MURDEN The First week proper of the Scottish election campaign has seen SNP supporters and candidates pressing John Swinney’s new slogan “It’s Scotland’s Energy”, a re-boot of its previous claim on […]
Contributors
Time to simplify Scotland’s tax rules
A needlessly complex tax regime needs better alignment with England, argues DONALD PARBROOK While the fiscal position may leave Shona Robison, the outgoing SNP Finance Secretary, with relatively few options, taxpayers in Scotland surely find the Scottish income tax rates and bands system needlessly complicated. The rest of the UK has three income tax bands […]
China delivers the true meaning of growth
Promises to build homes and infrastructure in the UK are dwarfed by China’s rapid rate of expansion, writes IAN RITCHIE Sir Keir Starmer is planning his first visit to China later this month and it will surely be a very sobering experience for him. Far from being the poor, developing nation of 40 years ago, […]
Can it come good for Rachel in 2026?
The Chancellor has no shortage of critics, but the tide may be turning in her favour, writes TERRY MURDEN Of all those who have passed through the business headlines this year, few have managed to generate the levels of fury, angst, frustration, despair and outright hostility as the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Rachel Reeves, or […]
Cybersecurity: What SMEs need to know
There are some key steps that smaller firms can take to reduce their exposure to cybercrime, writes SCOTT MONCUR Cyber risk is one of the most significant threats facing UK organisations, affecting nearly every sector and type of organisation. According to data from the National Cyber Security Centre, (NCSC), part of GCHQ, the UK experienced 204 “nationally […]