Procurement reforms have ‘little impact’ on Scotland’s small firms
Reforms aimed at increasing the share of public sector contracts going to Scotland’s small businesses have had “little impact”, a new report has claimed.
Business
Scottish firms receive £26 million in start-up loans
Start-up businesses in Scotland have borrowed more than £26 million from the British Business Bank since its launch six years ago.
Jobs at risk as Sir Philip Green prepares restructuring plan for retail empire
Sir Philip Green is preparing to launch a dramatic restructuring plan for his retail empire, which could come at the cost of hundreds of jobs.
Business leaders welcome rejection of no-deal Brexit but urge action
Business leaders welcomed MPs’ vote to reject a no-deal Brexit under any circumstances but urged the Government to turn it into action.
Small companies can now apply for Brexit preparation funding
More Scottish businesses can apply for a share of £2 million to prepare for Brexit, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.
Scottish Government must have role in future trade negotiations, committee says
The Scottish Government should have a seat at the negotiating table in Brexit trade negotiations to protect the distinct priorities of Scottish trade, according to a House of Commons committee.
Nicola Sturgeon pledges to tackle gender pay gap
Nicola Sturgeon has announced a new strategy to tackle the gender pay gap in Scotland in a speech on International Women’s Day.
Replica street at new training school for digital engineers
A fibre training school featuring a replica street has been unveiled by Openreach to train the next generation of digital engineers.
Scotland best part of UK for workplace gender diversity
Scotland has maintained its place as the top performing part of the UK when it comes to gender diversity in the workplace, a new report has found.
Labour calls for train depot facing closure to be nationalised
Labour has called for a train maintenance depot in Glasgow that is facing closure to be brought into public ownership.
Businesses urged to ensure they are ready for no-deal Brexit
Businesses are being urged to prepare for a potential no-deal Brexit by taking steps to ensure they can continue to trade with the EU.
Fair work plan launched to help more people earn Living Wage
The Scottish Government want the number of people earning the Living Wage to increase by 25,000 in the next three years.
First Minister announces £100,000 for women leaders scheme
Nicola Sturgeon has announced £100,000 of new funding to help boost a mentoring scheme for women in business across Scotland.
Business Secretary praises braille firm for diverse workforce
The Business Secretary is meeting workers at the Scottish Braille Press to celebrate the success of the social enterprise and its diverse workforce.
Scots small firms ‘punching above weight’ in community contributions
A majority of small businesses in Scotland make a contribution to their communities or give to charity, according to a new report.
A third of breastfeeding workers have had to express milk in the staff toilets – survey
One in three breastfeeding mothers have been forced to use a toilet when they express milk after they return to work, according to a survey.
Local authority business scheme criticised by MSPs
A scheme designed to help businesses develop and grow has been criticised by MSPs over its “lack of accountability and transparency”.
Ministers urged to ban late-paying businesses from getting public contracts
Big businesses who pay their suppliers unacceptably late should be banned from getting public contracts, the Scottish Government has been told.
Huge whisky visitor centre could transform Frasers building in Edinburgh
Drinks giant Diageo has submitted plans for a new seven-storey whisky visitor centre in the heart of Edinburgh.
New Scotland-Canada partnership to support social enterprise
An international agreement to grow and sustain social enterprises in Scotland and Canada has been announced by Nicola Sturgeon on a visit to Toronto.
Scottish Government’s Canada office will strengthen links – Sturgeon
Economic links between Scotland and Canada will be strengthened by a new Scottish Government office in Ottawa, Nicola Sturgeon has said.
Restaurant failures in Scotland up 86% in worst year on record
The number of restaurants going bust in 2018 across Scotland was the worst on record, analysts have found.
Serco signs £560m health services deal with Australian army
Outsourcer Serco has inked a £560 million contract to provide health services to the Australia Defence Force in conjunction with Bupa.
Aberdeen city centre business owners welcome work to end flooding
Scottish Water is carrying out investigations into the waste water management system, and the information gathered will be used to plan improvements which could alleviate flooding issues.
Scottish businesses report growing confidence
A “modest” rise in Scottish firms’ confidence levels has been reported in a new study.
Woman’s ‘abusive’ interview at UK tech firm sparks outrage online
A woman’s account of an “abusive” interview at a UK tech company has sparked outrage online as the latest example of workplace bullying.
Director general of business lobby group IoD quits
Stephen Martin has stepped down as director general of the Institute of Directors after less than two years, and just weeks ahead of Brexit.
Business insolvencies up 14% in a year, figures show
Business insolvencies in Scotland have risen by 14% in a year, new figures indicate.
No-deal Brexit could cost Scotland £14bn a year by 2034, study claims
A no-deal Brexit could cost Scotland £14 billion a year, new analysis by business organisation the CBI has indicated.
Revolution Bars shares crumble as political uncertainty weighs on profit
Shares in Revolution Bars collapsed on Monday after the firm warned that full-year profit will take a knock from “economic and political uncertainties”, taking a shine off rising sales over the festive period.