Here are the top business stories making the headlines in the morning newspapers.
Ithaca Energy stock-market flotation on the way
Ithaca Energy will make its initial public offering (IPO) in London "as soon as possible" this year, according to parent Delek Group.
The North Sea operator is growing to one of the largest in the UK, following high-profile deals for Marubeni, Summit Exploration and, most recently, Siccar Point Energy which owns a majority stake in the Cambo oil field.
Releasing its first quarter accounts, Israel's Delek Group said Ithaca "intends to merge the operations of the acquired company (Siccar Point) and to continue to develop the acquired asserts as part of its preparation towards an IPO in 2022".
Delek said: "Our clear goal is to continue to maintain the positive momentum in the group's operations, and as soon as possible to carry out Ithaca's IPO in London, which will unlock further significant value for the Delek Group and its shareholders."
Energy Voice says estimates have not been given on the firm's targeted market valuation.
New international trade director for SCC
Scottish Chambers of Commerce has announced Seona Shand as the organisation’s international trade director.
Ms Shand (pictured) has over a decade of experience in the field of international trade and brings to SCC deep knowledge and practical experience of trading internationally.
She most recently served as commercial director at Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce.
The Daily Business Group reports that her role at SCC will see her leading on the production of a new model of trade support services, maximising international relationships with the global chambers of commerce network and other key global businesses, governments and partners.
She will also provide capacity building and trade support within the SCC network to deliver additional international support to the business community.
Companies have falling confidence, says bank boss
Firms on NatWest's books have falling confidence, its chief executive Alison Rose has said.
She blamed this on problems with supply chains, energy bills and skills shortages.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has also "exacerbated" people's worries, she told the BBC.
Three years after she took over the top role from Ross McEwan, Ms Rose said that the impact of inflation, higher interest rates and the invasion of Ukraine has caused a "concern" for business about "confidence to grow".
"We are still seeing positive tailwinds from recovery from the pandemic as companies scale back up again, but definitely business confidence is being affected," she said.
NatWest brands include the Royal Bank of Scotland.
P&O Ferries leader is ' incredibly sorry'
The boss of P&O Ferries has said he is "incredibly sorry" for the impact felt by hundreds of staff who were recently sacked by the company without notice.
But chief executive Peter Hebblethwaite insisted the decision was the only route possible.
P&O Ferries sacked almost 800 seafarers in March and replaced them with foreign agency workers paid less than the minimum wage.
The move sparked outrage and led to calls for Mr Hebblethwaite to resign.
At the time, P&O Ferries said the decision would ensure the future of the business.
When asked how he would feel if he was sacked in the same way, Mr Hebblethwaite told the BBC it is "not pleasant being made redundant".
"I'm incredibly sorry, on the decision we took had a material impact on a number of our ex-employees. And I do regret that," he added.
However, the P&O Ferries boss insisted the move was "the route we only deemed possible for us to take", and part of "a difficult decision and repositioning for a better future".
Jaguar Land Rover electric car production could go to Slovakia
Tata Motors, the Indian owner of Jaguar Land Rover, is threatening to shift electric car production to Slovakia if ministers refuse to offer taxpayer support for a UK gigafactory.
There is deadlock over state backing for a plant in the UK, which is key to plans for JLR to go all-electric by 2025.
Tata has previously announced that new electric models will be built at existing factories in the Midlands, and is understood to be in advanced negotiations about building a gigafactory in either near Bristol or Redcar.
Many of JLR's 30,000 UK jobs could be at risk if it opts for Slovakia instead.
Government sources suggested that the proposals were a negotiating tactic. An insider said: "They are using this as a way to extract more money from the Government."
The Telegraph says that Tata has been in talks with ministers for several months as it finalises its decision for a new plant to supply JLR's electric vehicle fleet, whittling site locations to a shortlist of two. A final decision is due by the end of June, industry sources said.
Car-charging costs jump
The cost of rapidly charging an electric car has risen sharply as energy costs soar, the RAC has said.
However, the BBC reports that electric car charging still remains cheaper than petrol and diesel.
Rises in electricity and gas prices, in part since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, are behind the increased charging costs.
The price of charging an electric car on a pay-as-you-go, non-subscription basis at a publicly-accessible rapid charger has increased by 21% over the last nine months, the RAC said. Even charging at home has been getting more expensive as energy bills spiral upwards.
But electric vehicle charging is still around half the cost per mile compared to filling a family car with petrol, the RAC said.