What is the fund? A £25 million fund to support the wedding sector and its supply chain will open to applications this week. Launching on Thursday 28 January, the fund will provide one-off grants of up to £25,000 for eligible businesses in the sector including wedding venues, photographers, caterers and suppliers. This new fund aims...

What is the Scottish Inbound Tour Operators Fund? The Scottish Government have recently announced a £6 million fund delivered on behalf of the Scottish Government by VisitScotland with input from the Scottish Tourism Alliance, the Scottish Destination Management Association, the Scottish Incoming Golf Tour Operators Association and UK Inbound. The fund is available for inbound...

The Scottish Government have announced additional support to Taxi and Private Hire Drivers who are experiencing decreased demand, by way of a one-grant of £1,500 to eligible individuals. This support is separate and additional to any other funding receivable from the Scottish or UK Government. For example, a driver may be eligible even if they...

The Scottish Borders Council has announced that £670k of additional support is being made available to Borders businesses suffering from the short-term financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically it aims to support small businesses and the self-employed in the area who have suffered from the impacts of the pandemic since 1 October 2020 and...

The United Kingdom officially left the European Union (EU) on 31 January 2020 and the 11-month transitional period ended on 1 January 2021. There are important changes businesses must now make in order to continue trading with the EU. VAT changes The UK left the EU VAT Territory on 31 December 2020. Following this date,...

At the end of September, the government announced the end of the VAT Retail Export Scheme (VAT RES) with effect from 1 January 2021. This means that overseas visitors will no longer be entitled to a VAT refund on items they buy in England, Scotland or Wales which they take home in their luggage. The...

Additional Funding for Gyms and Non-essential Retail Action has been taken so that businesses across Scotland get better and faster access to financial support by Scottish Finance Secretary Kate Forbes. £41 million will top up support for non-essential retail and gyms, which are required to close in level 4. This is in addition to top...

After a tough year you might have scaled down Christmas gifts for your employees. Even so, you need to consider the VAT consequences which vary depending on the cost and type of gift. What should you be reporting on your VAT return? John Craig our VAT expert provides the answers. The cost of employing a...

An employee working from home has asked for a financial contribution towards their winter heating bills because they will be higher this year. Are you obliged to contribute towards a homeworker’s household running costs? Lauren Herbert discusses this in detail. Many businesses have closed their premises and the government has directed that employees should work...

JRW get Biggar It is a great pleasure to introduce a brand new addition to the JRW team to you, agriculture and road haulage specialist David Clarkson. Highly experienced chartered accountant David Clarkson from Biggar joined the firm in September as a new Partner and we are delighted to announce that David will also be...