Latest news with #Lochhead
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
14 percent of Scotland's pubs and clubs could close
It comes as more than half of Scotland's pubs and clubs and hospitality businesses expect trading performance to fall this year amid 'brutal' conditions. The survey was carried out by the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) during its August market insight survey report. (Image: Image from Pexels) More than 350 pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels across Scotland took part. SLTA - which represents publicans, hoteliers, restaurateurs, late night entertainment venues and clubs - said the results were the most negative it has seen in the 10 years that the survey has been carried out. READ NEXT: Major road locked down amid ongoing incident The SLTA found that in three quarters (75%) of venues profitability was down from last year, with 56% of firms saying this had dropped by more than 10%. More than half (56%) of outlets said they expected trading performance to decline in 2025, with 14% of outlets either planning to close their doors or seriously considering it. This is more than double the 6% who were either planning or considering closure in the SLTA's January survey. Cost pressures continue to have a major impact on the sector, with 67% of outlets reporting increases of more than 10%. Meanwhile almost 90% of outlets said they expect the Scottish economy to decline this year. According to the SLTA research, increases in employers' national insurance contributions have impacted upon staffing and opening hours, with nearly a third (32%) of outlets cutting staffing levels, while almost a fifth (19%) reduced their opening hours. Colin Wilkinson, SLTA managing director, has called for action from both Holyrood and Westminster to help the sector. He said: 'We've spoken repeatedly about the many challenges Scotland's licensed hospitality sector continues to face. 'In recent years, it navigated the stormy waters of Brexit, the Covid pandemic, rising utility bills, and the ongoing cost-of-living pressures that have impacted on businesses' operating costs and consumer spending. 'However, in the 10 years that we have been conducting our market insight surveys, these findings are the most negative we have seen – these insights are extremely concerning and the only word to describe the current trading conditions is 'brutal'.' READ NEXT: Three new cancer drugs approved for use for NHS Scotland Mr Wilkinson said that spiralling costs to businesses from the Chancellor's hike in employers' NICs, along with increases in the both the national minimum wage and the living wage are having a devastating impact on Scotland's pubs, bars, hotels and hospitality venues. Business minister Richard Lochhead defended the current rates system, as he urged the UK Government to reverse its decision to increase employers' national insurance contributions, which is having a detrimental impact on the hospitality industry. (Image: Image of Lochhead from PA) Lochhead said: 'We are providing 40% rates relief in 2025-26 for hospitality premises, including music venues with a capacity of up to 1,500 people, which is benefiting night-time businesses. 'Scotland also continues to offer the most generous small business rates relief in the UK, with around half of properties in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors being eligible for 100% Small Business Bonus Scheme relief.' Meanwhile a spokesperson for HM Treasury added: 'UK business confidence is the highest in 10 years according to a Lloyds Bank survey published only this week. 'Since the election, we have struck three major trade deals with the EU, US and India, more than a billion pounds has been invested to fix our national infrastructure and the Bank of England has cut interest rates four times. 'Because of the tax decisions we took at the Budget last year, we have been able to deliver on the priorities of the British people, including funding the record £50.9 billion settlement for Scotland to support public services including health, transport and education as we deliver on the Plan for Change.' The survey found 75% of businesses in the sector want the next Scottish Government after the 2026 Holyrood elections to address rates discrepancies with the rest of the UK.
STV News
03-06-2025
- Business
- STV News
SNP ‘all over the place' on funding for defence companies, claims Labour
The SNP has been accused of being 'all over the place' on state funding for defence companies, after the Government enterprise agency declined to back a Rolls-Royce welding skills centre. Rolls-Royce has been told the project in the Glasgow area cannot be supported with £2.5m of funding from Scottish Enterprise. A Scottish Government minister said the project could not be funded as it concerns 'munitions' and is part of a programme for building attack submarines. UK Defence Secretary John Healy has described the refusal to back the welding centre as 'student union politics'. SNP business minister Richard Lochhead responded to MSPs' questions on Tuesday. He said the Scottish Government and its agencies have a longstanding policy that public money should not support 'the manufacture of munitions'. PA Media Richard Lochhead said the project would be ineligible for Scottish Enterprise support PA Media Mr Lochhead said as the project concerns an 'attack submarine' it would be ineligible for Scottish Enterprise support, but a formal application had not been received. Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said: 'The Scottish Government's position is frankly incoherent and their policy on state funded aid for defence is all over the place and applied selectively.' She pointed out that the Government-owned shipyard Ferguson Marine is carrying out subcontractor work for the Royal Navy's Type 26 frigate programme – arguing 'there are munitions on the frigate'. Mr Lochhead responded, saying: 'The Scottish Government very much values the role of the defence sector in Scotland and the many jobs it sustains, and indeed the value it adds to the Scottish economy. 'For that reason £45m of support through our enterprise agencies has been allocated to defence companies or companies partially involved in defence activities.' PA Media Labour's Dame Jackie Baillie said the SNP is 'all over the place' PA Media Dame Jackie asked: 'What does the Government believe the Army, the Navy and the air force should defend the country with? 'Pea shooters, bows and arrows, a telling off?' Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr aid the SNP's position is 'not just incoherent, it's totally hypocritical'. Mr Lochhead said funding had focused on the diversification of industry, noting defence is reserved to the UK Government. He also said governments must take into account 'ethical considerations' when it comes to funding companies in the defence sector. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Herald Scotland
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
SNP in munitions ban hypocrisy row over Ferguson Marine
READ MORE Road deaths increased to 160 in Scotland last year, figures show One in four Scots die from a condition which could have been prevented or treated Want to reduce the campervan menace? Why not enforce the legislation? The UK Government has said it is prepared to provide the £2.5 million shortfall if Scottish Enterprise does not step in. In Holyrood on Tuesday, Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie pointed out that the Scottish Government funds Ferguson Marine, which is subcontracted by BAE to work on Royal Navy frigates. 'There are munitions on the frigate. Why is that acceptable when funding Rolls-Royce in partnership with the Malin Group to establish a welding school is not? Is this a case of the SNP putting their party's interests before the interests of jobs, the economy and the best interests of Scotland?' she asked. The MSP said the Scottish Government's position amounted to believing the military were very important, but that they should not have weapons. 'So what does the Government believe that the Army, the Navy and the Air Force should defend the country with? Pea shooters? Bows and arrows? A telling off?' Welder doing some welding (Image: © Stewart Attwood Photography ) Dame Jackie asked if the Government would reconsider. Enterprise Minister Richard Lochhead insisted the Scottish Government 'very much values' the defence sector and said enterprise agencies had allocated £45 million to defence companies since the SNP came to power. But that there was a "policy that public money should not fund the manufacture of munitions.' Scottish Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr said the position was not just 'incoherent', but 'grossly hypocritical, totally hypocritical.' Patrick Harvie, co-leader of the Scottish Greens, supported the Government's stance, saying he was dismayed by the 'insulting and demeaning language' used by the Defence Secretary, who described the Scottish Government stance as 'student politics.' Mr Harvie added: 'Isn't it all the more galling when those comments come from a government that's willing to see arms provided to a genocidal regime like Israel?' READ MORE Pressed by Labour's Paul Sweeney, who warned the refusal had sent a 'toxic signal' to investors, Mr Lochhead said the Government's focus was on 'skills development and diversification' within the defence sector. Willie Rennie of the Scottish Liberal Democrats challenged ministers on their defence vision for an independent Scotland. 'Where will we buy them from? Will we make them ourselves, and if it is not the taxpayer who is going to fund them? These are serious questions that highlight the inconsistency in the SNP approach. So will an independent Scotland have any munitions at all?' Mr Lochhead said 'of course an independent Scotland would have conventional defence forces.'
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Minister to pitch Scottish business during trip to China and Japan
Scotland's business minister has begun a visit to China and Japan where he will aim to deepen economic and cultural ties with the two nations. Richard Lochhead will meet government representatives, potential investors and business leaders during his trip. The Scottish Government said China and Japan are increasingly important export markets for Scotland, with whisky and seafood exports to China tripling since 2005. Meanwhile, whisky sales to Japan jumped 7% last year – making it one of the top importers of Scotch in terms of value. During his trip to China, from April 8 to 12, Mr Lochhead will encourage greater collaboration between Scottish and Chinese academic institutions. In Japan, which he will visit from April 12 to 18, the minister will support eight Scottish gaming firms during meetings with potential customers and investors in Tokyo. The minister will also begin the first of three days of Scottish activity at Expo 2025 in Osaka. The event will showcase Scotland's gaming sector as well as consumer-focused businesses including distilleries, skincare companies and seafood specialists. Mr Lochhead said: 'Scotland is open for business and China and Japan are vitally important markets for Scottish companies. 'Over the next two weeks I will champion Scotland's world-class products, universities and technical expertise. 'I will also be promoting the many investment opportunities that our drive for net zero is delivering. 'In an increasingly volatile global economy, it is even more important that we help Scottish companies access new markets and deepen existing trading relationships.' Sign in to access your portfolio
The Independent
07-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Minister to pitch Scottish business during trip to China and Japan
Scotland's business minister has begun a visit to China and Japan where he will aim to deepen economic and cultural ties with the two nations. Richard Lochhead will meet government representatives, potential investors and business leaders during his trip. The Scottish Government said China and Japan are increasingly important export markets for Scotland, with whisky and seafood exports to China tripling since 2005. Meanwhile, whisky sales to Japan jumped 7% last year – making it one of the top importers of Scotch in terms of value. During his trip to China, from April 8 to 12, Mr Lochhead will encourage greater collaboration between Scottish and Chinese academic institutions. In Japan, which he will visit from April 12 to 18, the minister will support eight Scottish gaming firms during meetings with potential customers and investors in Tokyo. The minister will also begin the first of three days of Scottish activity at Expo 2025 in Osaka. The event will showcase Scotland's gaming sector as well as consumer-focused businesses including distilleries, skincare companies and seafood specialists. Mr Lochhead said: 'Scotland is open for business and China and Japan are vitally important markets for Scottish companies. 'Over the next two weeks I will champion Scotland's world-class products, universities and technical expertise. 'I will also be promoting the many investment opportunities that our drive for net zero is delivering. 'In an increasingly volatile global economy, it is even more important that we help Scottish companies access new markets and deepen existing trading relationships.'
