Business News Round Up (13/02/2026)
Scottish equity investment tops £1bn as investors focus on fewer but larger deals
Equity investment into Scottish companies rose by almost a third to over £1 billion last year, even though the number of deals increased by less than 1%, a new report has shown. The figures suggest investors are becoming more selective and refining their focus with fewer but larger deals and more capital deployed overall, according to Mercia Ventures. The figures compiled by Beauhurst show there were 352 deals in Scotland in 2025, up 0.86% on the previous year, while total equity investment increased by 31.5% to £1.11bn. In the UK as a whole, the number of equity investments fell by 8% to 5,887, while total investment rose to £24bn (up 3.43%). The report also reveals that first-time equity investment in the UK as a whole rebounded sharply in 2025 after several years of decline and while fewer businesses received follow-on capital in 2025, those that did secured higher amounts.
Reeves says ‘more to do’ after sluggish GDP growth
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said there is “more to do” after the UK economy saw a lacklustre end to 2025. The economy grew by 0.1% in the last three months of the year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said, which was slightly slower than economists had expected. The ONS said the overall picture for growth towards the end of the year remained “subdued”. Reeves pointed to the full-year figures, saying that the economy’s 1.3% growth for the whole of 2025 had topped analysts’ forecasts. But the Conservatives said Labour had “weakened our economy”. Labour has made growing the economy its number one priority since coming to power. But the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that there was no growth last quarter in the crucial services sector for the first time in two years, with the slight overall boost to GDP driven by an increase in manufacturing.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gjmm7dlggo
Hospitality relief will ‘soften blow’ of rates rises
Hospitality businesses said a decision by the Scottish Government to increase business rates relief will soften the blow of an imminent rise in rateable values. Finance Secretary Shona Robison has raised relief from 15% to 40% for licensed hospitality and music venues for the next three years, subject to a £110,000 cap per business. It follows sustained pressure from the industry, while Ms Robison welcomed support for the Scottish Budget from the Liberal Democrats. “We have been clear that we would seek to work constructively to deliver on these priorities and the Liberal Democrats have engaged in our discussions in a positive manner throughout the Budget process,” she said. Jamie Greene, Liberal Democrat economy spokesman, said his party had pressed for the extra support as part of a £300m package of benefits across a number of services.
Scottish salmon remains the UK’s top food export
Scottish salmon has retained its crown as the UK’s top food export, with international sales of £828 million in 2025. Growth of more than 18% was seen in Asian markets, with particularly strong demand in China and Vietnam, as Scottish salmon continues to be recognised globally for its quality.
Produced in waters off the north west Highlands, Argyll and Bute, the Western Isles, Orkney, and Shetland, Scottish salmon was exported to 45 countries in 2025. Figures published by HMRC confirm Scottish salmon remains the UK’s top food export, ahead of cheese and other popular British products such as lamb and beef. The 2025 total is a record volume sold at 111,000 tonnes, up 9%. By volume, Scottish salmon is the single largest export passing through Heathrow Airport, where it is transported on scheduled flights to international destinations to maintain freshness.