Latest News

Feb 9 2021

Pay as You Grow flexible repayment options

Categories: COVID-19

Businesses that have taken advantage of the government-backed Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) to get through COVID-19 will now have greater flexibility to repay their loans. The Pay as You Grow (PAYG) scheme, first announced by the Chancellor in September 2020, allows borrowers to extend the length of the loan from six years to ten, pay more

Feb 8 2021

The Temporary Restrictions Fund for childcare providers

Categories: COVID-19Healthcare

There are many in Scotland’s childcare sector that continue to provide childcare to vulnerable children or those of key workers who are permitted to attend day care under the revised guidance throughout the pandemic. However, staying open under the new guidance could have a negative financial impact which is why the Scottish Government has made more

Feb 3 2021

Further funding announced to support the Scottish seafood sector

Categories: COVID-19Food & Drink

To further support fishermen, seafood businesses and ports and harbours that continue to be impacted by the ongoing effects of COVID-19 and the issues surrounding the EU exit, the Scottish Government have announced a new £7.75m funding package. The funding package aims to support the Scottish seafood industry who face ongoing losses due to COVID-19 hospitality more

Jan 29 2021

Can you utilise the temporary closure of your business?

Categories: COVID-19Leisure

As we work through another national lockdown, the leisure industry finds itself once again dealing with the temporary closure of restaurants, bars and hotels. Although there may have been lessons learnt from previous closures, such as how to identify funding and grants available and implementing procedures in regard to reopening, there is continued pressure on more

Jan 28 2021

Main announcements from the Scottish Budget 2021

Categories: Taxation

On 28 January, Finance Secretary Kate Forbes delivered the Scottish Budget for 2021/22. A year after the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Scotland, the focus of this Budget was on providing support and stability in the immediate term. We’ve highlighted the main announcements below: Strategic Framework Business Fund (SFBF) will continue to support more

Jan 26 2021

How remuneration planning can help your construction company

Categories: Property & Construction

In light of the COVID pandemic, construction companies have seen a significant reduction in profits and cashflow. To support the continuation of the business, some business owners have had to pay in some of their own money and/or take out less income. Our EQ Property & Construction specialists work together with our clients in order more

Jan 26 2021

The Scottish Wedding Industry Fund

Categories: COVID-19

To support the wedding sector and its supply chain, the Scottish Government has announced a further £10 million has been added to the £15 million announced in December. The Scottish Wedding Industry Fund will provide one-off grants of between £5,000 and £25,000 for eligible businesses in the sector impacted by the pandemic. The grants offered will more

Jan 22 2021

£7 million Large Self-Catering Grant and the Exclusive Use Grant

Categories: COVID-19Leisure

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism, Fergus Ewing, has announced details of the support available for larger self-catering properties and B&Bs paying Council Tax. As part of the £104.3 million support package for tourism and hospitality businesses announced in December 2020, the £7 million Large Self-Catering Grant and the Exclusive Use Grant will provide financial more