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Shona Robison may ‘potentially revisit’ Scottish taxes in response to UK Budget

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Shona Robison may ‘potentially revisit’ Scottish taxes in response to UK Budget



Scotland’s Finance Secretary says she may have to “potentially revisit” her tax plans amid reports the Chancellor will increase income tax in the Budget this month.

Shona Robison said the Scottish Government had a “very limited” set of levers to respond if Rachel Reeves makes the tax decision on November 26.

The Fraser of Allander Institute has estimated a 2p income tax hike in the UK Budget could cut Scotland’s funding by £1 billion because of the way the fiscal framework operates.

Ms Robison has requested an urgent meeting with the Chancellor, saying Ms Reeves should ditch her fiscal rules and instead deliver investment “to grow the economy and support people with the cost of living”.

Speaking to BBC Scotland’s Sunday Show, Ms Robison said the fiscal framework does not take account of changes to national insurance – another levy the Chancellor is reportedly considering changing.

The fiscal framework governs the public money coming to the Scottish Government, but Ms Robison said the system is now in “uncharted territory” as it did not envisage simultaneous changes to both income tax and national insurance.

Ms Robison was asked if she would raise Scottish income tax rates in response to any income tax increase in the Chancellor’s Budget.

She said: “I’m not going to set out here today what our plans for income tax are when we don’t know what we’re going to face on the 26th…

“If we end up in this scenario, then the levers available to us are very limited.

“Unless there is flexibility given to us through the fiscal framework – which would be my first ask, that we need to have that flexibility.

“Because we don’t want to raise taxes, we had already set out in the tax strategy that we want to see that stability till the end of the Parliament.

“But in the event of unforeseen exceptional circumstances, clearly we would have to potentially revisit that.”

Under the devolution settlement, the Scottish Government has powers to adjust income tax rates north of the border.

An HM Treasury spokesperson said earlier: “Our record funding settlement for Scotland will mean over 20% more funding per head than the rest of the UK.

“We have also confirmed £8.3 billion in funding for GB Energy-Nuclear and GB Energy in Aberdeen, up to £750 million for a new supercomputer at Edinburgh University, and are investing £452 million over four years for City and Growth Deals across Scotland.

“This investment is all possible because our fiscal rules are non-negotiable, they are the basis of the stability which underpins growth.”



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Irdai fines Reliance General Insurance over ‘commission’ – The Times of India

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Irdai fines Reliance General Insurance over ‘commission’ – The Times of India


MUMBAI: The Irdai on Friday, fined Reliance General Insurance Rs 1 crore in Hyderabad for routing unauthorised payouts through marketing and awareness expenses that amounted to disguised commissions. The penalty follows Irdai’s examination of transactions across FY19, FY20 and FY21. According to the regulator, the insurer channeled payments to brokers, agents, corporate agents and unlicensed entities under labels such as consumer awareness, marketing and advertising.



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Govt registers 144olive startups | The Express Tribune

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Govt registers 144olive startups | The Express Tribune


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ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan has registered 144 olive startups as part of a decade-long government initiative aimed at developing the olive sector.

Olive Promotional Programme National Project Director Dr Muhammad Tariq told Wealth Pakistan that the sector had recorded rapid growth over the past 10 years due to sustained government backing.

“Ten years ago, when the government started this programme, we had only one entrepreneur. Today, we have 144 startups and entrepreneurs. It is a very fast-growing sector,” he said.

Tariq noted that the government’s continued support had played a central role in transforming the olive sector into a viable agro-industry. The federal minister for national food security has also taken steps to strengthen the sector by pursuing Pakistan’s full membership at the International Olive Council. “Hopefully, there will be progress within three months,” he said.



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Airlines cancel more than 1,200 flights ahead of winter storm. Here’s what to know

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Airlines cancel more than 1,200 flights ahead of winter storm. Here’s what to know


A traveler near a departures board at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in Newark, New Jersey, US, on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025.

Victor J. Blue | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Airlines canceled more than 1,200 U.S. flights on Friday ahead of a major winter storm that will put carriers to the test during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

A winter storm warning is in effect starting Friday afternoon in New York City, New Jersey and Long Island, with snowfall totals potentially reaching 9 inches, most of it falling overnight, the National Weather Service said.

Over 350 flights, or more than a quarter of the day’s schedule, were canceled as of 1 p.m. Friday to and from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware. More than 200 were also scrubbed at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, and more than 100 were canceled at Philadelphia International Airport.

American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways and other carriers waived change fees for restrictive basic economy tickets and said they won’t charge a difference in fare for any other customers flying in and out of a host of airports in the Northeast U.S.

Customers must travel by the end of the year if they change their flights, the airlines said. Flying as early as possible is likely the best bet with few seats available during the busy Christmas week.

Airlines for America, the industry lobbying group, expects carriers to fly a record 52.6 million people between Dec. 19 and Jan. 5, with this Friday and Sunday among the busiest days.

Airlines generally cancel flights ahead of time for major weather events in the forecast, like blizzards or hurricanes, to avoid planes, connecting travelers and crews from getting stranded and worsening disruptions.

Read more CNBC airline news



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