General News

St Kentigern’s Academy from Blackburn has been crowned the winner of this year’s Mitsubishi Electric ‘Pump It Up!’ Challenge. Now in its 10th year, the competition involved over 800 pupils from eight participating West Lothian secondary schools, with third year pupils tasked with coming up with an innovative use for a heat pump, an understanding of sustainable energy and working effectively as a team. The winners presented a passionate and detailed presentation of their idea,

The Business Growth Service is the Government’s new national service that was launched as part of the Small Business Plan to make it easier and quicker for businesses across the UK to get the help, support and advice they need to start, grow and succeed. The Business Voices Panel has been established to gather insights from SMEs to help us create a service that is tailored to real business needs. Participants may be invited to take part in surveys and provide feedback, learn

Scottish Chambers of Commerce has said that businesses can take heart from today’s Holyrood Budget, which offered firms immediate relief from rising cost pressures. It welcomed measures such as NDR relief, changes to income tax, investment in infrastructure resilience and funding for skills and training but called for more support and ambition to protect business and deliver economic growth. Dr Liz Cameron CBE, Chief Executive of SCC, said: “In December, SCC called for the S

Almost 340,000 Self Assessment filers have already paid their tax bill using the HMRC app. It is quick and easy to pay via the HMRC app and set up payment reminders. Taxpayers need to file their tax return and pay tax they owe by 31 January. The number of people using the HMRC app to pay their Self Assessment tax bill has increased by nearly 65 percent. Almost 340,000 people have used the HMRC app to pay their Self Assessment tax since 6 April 2025, an increase of 132,788 peo

MP for the Livingston constituency, Gregor Poynton MP has launched a campaign to stop small businesses being choked by late payments. Small businesses across West Lothian are being urged to speak up on the scourge of late payments by their MP. Gregor Poynton MP, who represents the Livingston constituency, has launched a campaign for new laws to ensure that small businesses are paid in time and wants to hear the experience of local entrepreneurs who have suffered at the hands