Southport-based Ludlow Wealth Management has acquired the two-office Scottish Financial Planner Whyte Sharp as it looks to expand in Scotland and nationally.

The Financial Conduct Authority has banned big spending Colette Chiesa and husband Mr John Chiesa from working in financial services for integrity failings after their firm collapsed and they “misled” a trustee about their wealth.

The Treasury says that a swathe of new tax measures due to kick in from the start of the new tax year on Thursday 6 April will provide a Spring ‘pay bump’ for millions of taxpayers.

More than four in ten (44%) Scottish savers squirrel away more now than two years ago, compared to a national average of 41% but one in five (21%) are saving only for the short term, while just 16% are focusing on the longer-term future.