UK Government accused of ‘stymieing’ set up of Scottish National Investment Bank
The new Scottish National Investment Bank is on track to open this time next year – despite the UK Government “stymieing” work to set up the new institution.
Treasury
Shock rate rise could mean projects have to be ‘scaled back or delayed’
A shock rate rise by the Treasury has led to fears that major projects in the north and north-east may have to be "scaled back or delayed".
Treasury blasted after dismissing ‘banking emergency’ in Highlands
Treasury officials have been accused of ignoring the “banking emergency” blighting the north of Scotland.
Extinction Rebellion protesters outline plans to shut Westminster roads
Extinction Rebellion protesters plan to shut down roads around Westminster and stage a sit-in at City Airport in London as part of environmental protests in the next two weeks.
Four arrested after climate protesters spray fake blood across Treasury steps
Four people have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after climate change activists sprayed the Treasury in central London with fake blood.
Defence, diplomacy and culture to be boosted in spending round
Boosting Britain’s standing as a major international player post-Brexit will be a key objective of new Government spending plans, Chancellor Sajid Javid has signalled.
Labour attack finance secretary Derek Mackay over Brexit funding
Derek Mackay has been accused of spending millions intended to protect Scotland from a no-deal Brexit on other things.
Chancellor Philip Hammond warns no-deal Brexit will cost £90billion
A no-deal Brexit could have a £90 billion "hit" on the Treasury's coffers, Philip Hammond has warned.
‘We may as well go back to bartering salmon for a bag of peats’ says MP as senior minister issues ‘call to arms’ over bank branch closures
A senior UK minister has called on banks to consider rural communities when closing branches after cross-party pressure from Scottish MPs.
North-east MP accuses Treasury of ‘acting in bad faith’ over controversial loan charge
A north-east MP has accused the Treasury of acting "in bad faith" over the loan charge, a new tax due in April that will affect up to 100,000 contractors who used controversial tax avoidance schemes.
Carmichael: UK Government must match ‘ambition’ of wave and tidal sector
The ambition of the wave and tidal industry is not being matched by the UK Government, a former Scottish secretary has warned.
New evidence shows how tax hikes hit whisky production
New research has shown that whisky production levels reduce when taxes are hiked up by the government.
Conservative MP defends UK Government inaction over RBS branch closures
Labour has called for the UK Government to “stop dancing” around the planned closures of dozens of RBS branches.
Treasury and Brexit ministers to visit Aberdeen next week
Treasury and Brexit ministers will visit Aberdeen on Thursday to meet oil and gas bosses.
Minimum alcohol pricing leaves Treasury with £40million hangover
The UK Treasury is facing a £40million tax hit amid forecasts that Scotland’s minimum alcohol pricing scheme will cut drinking north of the border.
SNP calls for North Sea investment as tax revenues head towards £1billion
The resurgent North Sea oil and gas industry is poised to pay more than £1billion in tax this year – and the SNP has called for the cash to be reinvested in the sector.
Treasury minister investigating claims RBS bank closure consultation was inadequate
The Scottish Conservatives have held talks with the Treasury minister to discuss concerns about RBS bank closures.
‘Hard Brexit’ would impose “appalling cost”, says SNP minister
Scottish Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has seized on a leaked cabinet committee paper that claims Treasury coffers would take an annual hit of up to £66billion if the UK goes for a so-called hard Brexit.
Build on existing support, says Oil and Gas UK CEO
Oil and Gas UK Chief Executive Deirdre Michie last night called on the UK Government to build on the support it has already given the industry.
Scotland to start collecting its own taxes for first time since 1707
The formal handover of powers allowing the collection of the first Scottish taxes in more than 300 years will happen on Wednesday.
Row over £40billion funding “black hole”
The Liberal Democrats and SNP clashed yesterday over claims Scotland would face a £40billion funding “black hole” if the nation had full fiscal autonomy.
Call to “let Scots stew” during 1980s Margaret Thatcher schools row
Treasury chiefs wanted to "let Scotland stew in its own juice" during a long-running teachers pay row which caused chaos in the classrooms in the 1980s.
Treasury poised to deliver North Sea boost
Danny Alexander has pledged to deliver "positive" tax news to offshore firms next month as part of a package of measures to secure the future of the sector.
Alexander says North Sea devolution “disastrous”
Devolution of North Sea revenues would be "pretty disastrous" for the oil and gas industry, Danny Alexander has claimed.
Verdict due on cut-price fuel for the Highlands
Motorists across the north will find out in the next few weeks if they will be able to buy cut-price petrol and diesel.
Top scientists accuses SNP of using own “project fear” over NHS
Leading microbiologist Hugh Pennington has accused the SNP of engaging in its own "project fear" over the NHS.
Work to start on Moray power scheme
Work will begin on a controversial £74million green energy scheme in Speyside within the next few weeks after the UK Government gave the project its financial backing.