Society achieves AML levy exemption for most Scots law firms
In a positive response to pressure applied by the Law Society of Scotland, plans to introduce a new economic crime levy, will see smaller law firms exempted. The organisation argued it would be wrong to add such a financial burden to all law firms, particularly given the enormous pressure the profession has faced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Society stressed in particular that the targeting of small high street firms with an additional levy would create a disproportionate burden. Consequently, of the 750 law firms in Scotland covered by the scope of the Money Laundering Regulations and therefore potentially eligible to pay the levy, only a small number will come in above the revenue threshold and therefore be subject to the additional financial burden. “This is a society-wide issue and we were very clear that we opposed the levy in principle, however we are pleased that the UK Government has responded positively to our arguments that small high-street firms should be exempt from an additional economic levy", said Lorna Jack, chief executive of the Law Society of Scotland. “It remains disappointing that around 20 of our largest firms will not be exempt, but we will continue to work with our members to support them through the changes.” The first levy payments will be made in 2023/24 and it is anticipated that £100m per annum will be raised from 2023/24 onwards.
The Journal of the Law Society of Scotland  

Scots law firms reveal merger deal
Two Scottish law firms have merged as they seek to capitalise on strong demand for legal services. The merger will combine the private client, residential conveyancing and commercial practice of Campbell Riddell Breeze Paterson with Holmes Mackillop's specialisms in family law, corporate deal-making and litigation. All offices will be retained and there will be no redundancies. Richard Leggett and Robert Stewart of Campbell Riddell Breeze Paterson will be become directors and voting shareholders in Holmes Mackillop, and all of their staff will join the enlarged group. The merged business will trade initially as Holmes Mackillop Solicitors incorporating Campbell Riddell Breeze Paterson and then become Holmes Mackillop.
The Herald  

Pacitti Jones continues takeover streak
Glasgow-based estate agent and legal firm Pacitti Jones has sealed the takeover of a Kilsyth-based peer. The acquisition of Penworth Properties on undisclosed terms follows the recent purchase of Glasgow law firm Alexander, Jubb & Taylor. Penworth Properties founder Beth Penman said: "With Pacitti Jones' focus on providing a high quality and personal service from local community focused branches, I found them to be a perfect fit for both myself and Penworth Properties."
The Scotsman  

Labour plans more powers for councils
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has ordered colleagues to draw up a plan to strengthen the powers of Holyrood and local councils. He cited workers’ rights and laws regulating drugs as priorities for further devolution from London to Edinburgh.
The Daily Record  

£30bn Glasgow Greenprint revealed ahead of COP26
Glasgow City Council has published its “Greenprint for Investment” prospectus, a £30bn plan showcasing opportunities in the city before the COP26 climate talks in November. Proposals include a Metro connecting the city centre with the eight local authorities that make up the wider region. Other projects on the agenda include £10bn of insulation improvements to the housing stock, a £180m expansion of the Scottish Event Campus, a £120m sustainable clothing manufacturing district in Paisley and a £40m investment in a district heating scheme in Polmadie and the Gorbals.
STV   BBC News   Glasgow Evening Times   Glasgow Evening Times   The Times   Herald Scotland  

Salmond inquiry leaks under investigation
Police are investigating leaks of information about the Scottish government's inquiry into harassment allegations against Alex Salmond. News that two female civil servants complained about Mr Salmond's behaviour first appeared in the Daily Record in August 2018; however, investigations into the leaks were unable to establish how the paper got hold of the details. A Police Scotland spokesman has now confirmed the force is "investigating two complaints regarding the potential unlawful disclosure of information". It is understood the investigation into the second leak concerns the publication of the Scottish government's report into the Salmond case which appears in a new book. Break-Up by journalists David Clegg and Kieran Andrews was published by Biteback earlier this month.
BBC News   Daily Mail  

Western Isles propose levy tax on motorhome visitors
Islanders are to be consulted on a plan to tax tourists visiting the Western Isles in motorhomes and campervans. Local authority Comhairle nan Eilean Siar said the move would see visitors making a "small contribution" towards the upkeep of services they use. Convener Norman Macdonald said: "We are not talking about huge sums of money. We just want a contribution towards the infrastructure we as a council are required to put in place". The Scottish government is in the process of putting in place new legislation on a transient visitor levy, which would give local authorities new powers to tax tourists so they contribute more towards local infrastructure and services.
BBC News  

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Government to ban restaurants from withholding staff tips
The Government has revealed plans to make it illegal for hospitality firms to withhold tips from workers, who often rely on them to top up their income. Under the plans, if an employer breaks the new rules they can be taken to an employment tribunal. In that instance, bosses may be forced to compensate workers or face fines. A statutory code of practice will set out how tips should be distributed to ensure fairness and transparency, and workers will have rights to make a request for information relating to an employer’s tipping record, enabling them to bring forward a credible claim to an employment tribunal. Labour Markets Minister Paul Scully claimed the plans would "ensure tips will go to those who worked for it".
Sky News   BBC News   The Times   The Herald  

Uber to backdate pensions
Uber is to pay out millions of pounds in missed pension payments to UK drivers dating back as far as 2017 under a deal with the retirement savings watchdog. Uber added that its private hire drivers would now be auto-enrolled on to a scheme through which it would contribute 3% of earnings into a pension pot. Drivers can choose to contribute up to 5% of qualifying earnings but will be able to opt out. Uber has been forced to pay pensions and offer other benefits such as holiday entitlement to drivers after the Supreme Court ruled in February that they should be classified as workers, not contractors. The judgment is thought likely to set a precedent for similar platforms.
The Times   Daily Mail   The Sun  

Scotland considers setting up parades commission
The Scottish government is considering setting up a parades commission similar to the one in Northern Ireland. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she had asked the justice secretary to examine what action could be taken to prevent disorder such as that seen on a series of Orange Walks over the weekend. Ms Sturgeon was responding to a question at Holyrood from SNP MSP James Dornan, who highlighted concerns that some of the walks had passed by Catholic churches. Police made a total of 14 arrests amid reports of anti-social behaviour including sectarian and racist singing. "I will ask the justice secretary to consider the possible creation of a parades commission", Ms Sturgeon said. "I know that members will join me unequivocally at condemning all instances of anti-Catholic bigotry which we have seen on our streets in recent times".
BBC News   The Herald  

COVID-19 deaths in Scotland drive fall in life expectancy
Life expectancy in Scotland fell last year with the biggest annual decrease seen in 40 years, according to National Records of Scotland (NRS). Average life expectancy for men dropped by 17.6 weeks, and is at 76.8 years and by 6.1 weeks for women to 81 years. NRS head of vital events statistics Julie Ramsay said the decrease had been driven by COVID deaths, adding that drug-related deaths also had a negative impact on life expectancy for males. The NRS also found that deprivation continued to have an impact on life expectancy, with men living in the least deprived areas having 13.5 years more life expectancy than those living in the most deprived areas. The difference was 10.2 years for women.
BBC News  

Growth slows to weakest level since March
Britain’s economic growth has been brought to its lowest levels since pandemic restrictions were eased in March, according to the latest IHS Markit/Cips survey. Growth in private sector output slowed in August as firms struggled with severe shortages while costs rose at the fastest pace since the late 1990s. The flash composite purchasing managers’ index dropped to 54.1 in September from 54.8 in August. City economists had forecast a reading of 54.5.
Financial Times   The Guardian