Business

3 March 2026

26 February 2026

Shona Robison’s final Scottish Budget for 2026/27 was delivered yesterday after a delay caused by the late UK Budget, marking a pivotal moment ahead of the May Holyrood elections and her departure from frontline politics. The Budget sets out tax, welfare, and public‑service plans that will shape Scotland’s political debate over the coming months.

We enter 2026 with US stocks dominating the global market while trading on expensive valuations. A small number of tech stocks account for a large portion of US returns and they are increasingly tied to the fortunes of the AI industry. These are certainly risks to be aware of.

Stocks had a small dip in November, before recovering back towards their previous highs. The longest US government shutdown in history had a negative effect, before coming to an abrupt end and allowing stocks to rally.

Our Office opening hours during the festive period are as follows:

Many of us take steps to prepare for retirement – setting aside savings, managing our Inheritance Tax position, or making Wills. Yet one crucial area often gets overlooked: planning for future care needs.

You should review your personal and investment situation before the April 2026 deadline to ensure you have made the most of any available allowances and reliefs.

From April 2026, the way many sole traders and landlords report their income to HMRC will undergo a major transformation.

Companies House has now rolled out mandatory identity verification requirements for Company Directors and People with Significant Control (PSCs). These changes form part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, aimed at improving the integrity of the UK’s corporate register and reducing fraud.

Our Winter newsletter provides a timely update on Making Tax Digital and Tax Planning for the April 2026 year end. We also look at the New Companies House Identity Verification Rules and Planning for Care in Later Life.

Yesterday, Wednesday 26 November, Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her second budget. We have sifted through the details which we feel will be the most significant to our clients, and we hope the following review will be helpful.