ECONOMYScottish jobs growth healthyScotland recorded only a slight fall in the rate of jobs growth last month despite a greater fall in the rest of the UK. The labour market 'barometer' for May shows a slip from
53.5 in the previous month to 53.3, revealing a slight stutter in the rate of improvement in overall Scottish job market conditions. However, the UK as a whole recorded a rate of only 49.6, according to the latest survey by Bank of Scotland. The figures showed that while temporary and contract staff billings were down and stronger increases in wages and salaries were on the cards, the growth of permanent staff placements was on the up. Chief economist at Bank of Scotland Martin Ellis said: "Jobs growth in Scotland remains relatively firm despite a moderating in market conditions since last summer. Demand for staff and permanent staff placement growth is steady and is stronger than in other parts of the UK. A number of sectors have shown notable resilience, with demand for healthcare professionals especially firm."
(The Scotsman) Read all today's economics news from scotsman.comENERGY & UTILITIESBE may turn to joint ventureBritish Energy may drop plans for an £11 billion sale in favour of a series of joint ventures, it has been claimed. The suggestion comes after the Livingston electricity generator dismissed a series of takeover bids for failing to meet its price expectations, though it has been claimed that the only concrete bid for the firm came from French company EDF. Now weekend newspaper reports say BE will begin to explore potential tie-ups with other power companies at its nuclear development sites. EDF is believed to have already bought up land adjacent to many BE sites as it attempts to strengthen its negotiating position. Centris and Suez are also expected to react favourably to tie-up offers, the reports added.
(The Herald) Read all today's energy and utilities news from scotsman.comFOOD, DRINK & AGRICULTUREDark Island brewer plans expansionThe company behind Dark Island beer has revealed plans to massively expand its Orkney Brewery. Sinclair Breweries has opened the tendering process on their plans which will see it triple its brewing capacity and open a visitor centre and events venues. Two new full-time brewing staff will be taken on following the expansion while a further three full-time and eight part-time positions will be created at the visitors centre. Both Orkney Isles Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise are backing the scheme which will see work on the Sandwick site begin in August – the brewery work is expected to be completed in five months with the visitor centre opening in March of next year. Managing director Norman Sinclair commented: "It is true that the current world shortage of hops has increased costs by nearly 100 per cent, (there are) huge rises in malt prices and everyone is battling the rise in energy and fuel costs, but that just intensifies the need for the quality of the product to be paramount. People are looking for quality product that they know where it comes from. The real ale market is on the up."
(The Herald) Read all today's food, drink and agriculture news from scotsman.comMEDIA & LEISUREChamber of Commerce fears Trump delay is harming ScotlandThe chief executive of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce has called for a 'positive early decision' on Donald Trump's controversial plan for a golf course and housing in Aberdeenshire. Geoff Runcie told the public inquiry into the scheme on the Menie Estate that the tycoon's plans had the 'overwhelming support' of the business community. He added: "The chamber believes that the process thus far has been overtly tortuous and has unfortunately not placed Scotland in the best light either within its own boundaries, nationally within the UK, or on the global scene. We would reiterate that there is a significant and overwhelming support from the business community for the proposal to be taken forward and for the Scottish Government to reach a positive early decision."
(BBC Scotland Online) Read all today's media and leisure news from scotsman.comRETAILTesco volte face on DobbiesIn a final snub to entrepreneur Sir Tom Hunter, garden centre chain Dobbies has withdrawn plans for the rights issue which drove Scotland's richest man from the company. Hunter became embroiled in a bitter court battle with Tesco-owned Dobbies after it revealed it planned a £150 million rights issue which would have massively diluted his stake in the firm. However, after Hunter agreed to sell his 29.3 per cent stake in the Dalkeith firm to Tesco, it has announced it will no longer be going ahead. A statement from Dobbies said: "Having taken into consideration these developments and the additional flexibility the company will have as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tesco Holdings to procure funding for future growth from internal sources, the board of Dobbies has decided to withdraw the open offer." A spokesman for Hunters investment vehicle West Coast Capital responded: "It is of no interest to us now we aren't shareholders. We are getting on with our lives. Good luck to them."
(The Herald) Read all today's retail news from scotsman.comTECHNOLOGYDrugs firms suffering from funding fallUK and US pharmaceutical firms are suffering from a severe lack of funding hampering their ability to develop new drugs, according to a new survey. The survey found that growing caution in the granting of licences for new drugs by the US Food and Drug Administration is one of the factors dissuading investors from getting involved in the sector. The poll for patent attorneys Marks & Clerk found that 82 per cent of pharmaceutical managers believe the increasing funding pressure poses a serious threat to the biotech industry while 72 per cent future drug developments would begin to suffer. Partner at Marks & Clerk and co-author of the report Dr Gareth Williams said: "Biotechnology represents the future of modern medicine, where yesterday's innovators now struggle with dwindling pipelined, generic competition and a checkered R&D record. Whilst the long-term view has not changed, we are seeing a short to mid-term funding gap in the current climate, which poses a genuine risk to essential, early-stage research and development."
(The Scotsman) Read all today's technology news from scotsman.comPROPERTYTulloch offers homes trade-inInverness housebuilder Tulloch has established a pot of mortgage funding to help homeowners until they are able to sell their own property in the latest move by a property firm to beat the housing slump associated with the credit crunch. In certain cases, Tulloch is also prepared to accept customers' previous homes as a trade-in on part of the value of new homes. Chairman David Sutherland commented: "Sales are not running at the same rate as last year, that's for sure , but the footfall tells me that customers are still looking to move; it's the barriers to getting a mortgage, and what they with their own house, that's stopping that." The group has revealed that as well as offering three-year fixed rate mortgages it is also offering to pay for estate fees in some cases in a bid to help the customers 'over the line'.
(The Scotsman) Read all today's property news from scotsman.com
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