Business News Round Up (22/09/2025)
Scottish company insolvencies down 7%
Scottish company insolvencies fell by 7% in August 2025 compared to the same month last year, with a total of 95 businesses collapsing. The figure was comprised of 47 creditors’ voluntary liquidations (CVLs), 43 compulsory liquidations, and five administrations. The overall insolvency rate for the 12 months to August 2025 also saw a slight improvement, falling to 51 per 10,000 active companies. Michelle Elliot, restructuring advisory partner at FRP in Glasgow, said: “While a fall in insolvencies is positive, operating conditions remain incredibly challenging. With consumer confidence so weak, businesses are having to absorb significant cost rises in order to remain competitive. This is putting acute pressure on margins, and there are few signs of respite on the horizon – sticky inflation is likely to keep demand low, and yesterday’s decision to hold interest rates means borrowing costs are unlikely to drop any time soon. “
https://www.scottishfinancialnews.com/articles/scottish-company-insolvencies-down-7
UK taxes to rise steadily to combat mounting public spending pressures – KPMG
The UK Government faces tough tax choices in the years ahead with mounting public spending pressures versus sluggish economic growth, according to new forecasts. Economists for KPMG said it had been an unexpectedly strong start to 2025, but the second half was looking more uncertain. The accountancy giant is forecasting UK gross domestic product (GDP) to rise by 1.2% over 2025 and 1.1% in 2026. Consumers are expected to remain cautious in relation to spending while uncertainty about trade policy continues to pose a risk to levels of business investment, according to its latest UK Economic Outlook report. “While the economy showed resilience at the start of the year, the second half looks more uncertain,” Yael Selfin, KPMG UK’s chief economist, said. “Elevated tax burdens, weaker global trade and cautious consumers are likely to keep growth subdued into 2026.”
Innovation Scotland’s ‘Greatest Export’, says Business Minister
Innovation should be Scotland’s ‘greatest export’, according to business minister Richard Lochhead, who has urged businesses to use the country’s inaugural National Innovation Week as a springboard for success. Billed as a national showcase of Scotland’s ‘global leadership in technological advancement’, the minister said that the event would help cement the nation’s reputation for ingenuity and invention, and act as a catalyst for future collaboration across industry. More than eighty events are set to take place as part of the festivities, with more than 200 delegates expected to attend an Innovation Summit in Edinburgh this Thursday (25th September). Running from 22nd to 26th September, activity across the week will focus on four key areas of Scotland’s National Innovation Strategy, namely advanced manufacturing, energy transition, health and life sciences, as well as data and digital technologies.
https://www.digit.fyi/innovation-scotlands-greatest-export
Women gather to highlight business growth barriers
More than 250 women entrepreneurs, business leaders and ambitious professionals will gather in Edinburgh this week to highlight the barriers they face in growing businesses. This year’s Women on Top Summit is organised by egg, the platform founded by Kylie Reid that connects, champions and empowers women in business. Women-led start-ups account for 54% of all new businesses in 2025 – a milestone shift – but 61% of those ventures still fail to progress beyond the start-up stage. Despite outpacing male-led firms on turnover growth (29% versus 24%), women-led businesses still receive just 2.8% of equity investment and typically exit for 25% less than their male counterparts. The day-long programme at the Assembly Rooms on Wednesday will feature talks and workshops. The summit features women who’ve overcome these challenges to build successful businesses.