Business News Round Up (15/09/2026)
Scottish retailers urge government to rule out new taxes
Retailers in Scotland have urged the Scottish Government to rule out new taxes on the sector, reduce business costs and abandon plans for a statutory food price cap ahead of Scotland’s 2027-28 Budget. The Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC), which represents retailers operating in Scotland, has put forward 21 recommendations aimed at supporting consumer spending and retail investment as businesses face subdued demand and rising operating costs. Its submission to Finance Secretary Jenny Gilruth covers taxation, business rates, household finances and retail crime. The Scottish Budget is due to be announced on 3 December. A central demand is for the Scottish Government to avoid imposing additional costs on the retail sector. The SRC wants ministers to rule out new retail taxes, including levies affecting retail warehouses. It also wants ministers to limit additional regulatory costs and abandon plans for a statutory food price cap.
https://www.retail-insight-network.com/news/scottish-retailers-urge-government-to-rule-out-new-taxes
UK small firms hit hardest by cyber-attacks, Hiscox finds
Nearly one in three organisations globally (29%) have been hit by a successful cyber-attack in the past year, according to the 10th annual Hiscox Cyber Readiness Report, based on a survey of nearly 7,000 cybersecurity decision-makers at smaller firms. UK firms fared worse than the global average: 38% of small UK businesses reported a successful hack in the past 12 months, making Britain the most vulnerable market among those surveyed. Globally, affected firms reported an average of four attack incidents over the same period. Cyber incidents now cost organisations an average of $52,000 globally, alongside roughly 32 hours of operational disruption. In the UK specifically, the average cost per attack came in at £26,650, a lower absolute figure than the global average but one arrived at from a much higher attack rate, meaning UK firms overall are more likely to face that cost in the first place.
Pubs, hotels and gyms in Wales to get 30% business rates cut
Taxes paid by pubs, hotels and cinemas in Wales will fall after the Welsh government announced a 30% cut in some business rates. First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth said hospitality, accommodation and leisure venues would receive the permanent cut in rates from April 2027. “It is about helping businesses like this to thrive, so our communities can thrive,” ap Iorwerth said on a visit to a pub in Cardiff. The cut, which will be funded by an increase in the rates paid by businesses with the highest-value properties, was welcomed by UK Hospitality Cymru. But the trade body warned businesses still faced “massive amounts of taxation coming from all areas”. Business rates are collected by the Welsh government before being redistributed as direct funding to local authorities in Wales. The government said the 30% cut would apply to small and medium-sized businesses with a rateable value below £51,000.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6n9w87ejqn2o
Skills gap puts Scotland’s defence dividend at risk
Scotland risks missing out on a defence spending bonanza if persistent skills shortages are not addressed, MPs have warned. Demand for apprenticeships and technical training is high, but today’s report from the Scottish Affairs Committee warns that training provision is not keeping pace with future workforce needs. The committee says this could undermine Scotland’s ability to deliver the UK’s defence strategy and realise the full benefits of increased defence investment. The report welcomes initiatives like the Defence Growth Deal and the Defence Universities Alliance but urges the UK and Scottish governments to act with greater urgency to strengthen Scotland’s defence skills base. It highlights the potential of two proposed Defence Technical Excellence Colleges (DTECs) for Scotland, which are designed to deliver advanced technical skills for the UK defence sector. However, without matched funding from the Scottish Government, the UK Government has said only one college will proceed.