Here are the business stories making the headlines across Scotland and the UK this morning.
Dame Jackie Baillie wins Scottish Politician of the Year
Dame Jackie Baillie has been named The Herald Scottish Politician of the Year for steering Scottish Labour’s revival and securing its first Westminster byelection win over the SNP.
The Dumbarton MSP was the first Labour woman to win the coveted title since former minister Margaret Curran did so almost 20 years ago.
Dame Jackie was also the first person other than a party leader or minister to receive the award since 2010, when Labour’s Hugh Henry won for helming the public audit committee.
She was recognised for her forensic scrutiny of the Scottish Government as her party’s health spokesperson, including on A&E waiting times and plans for a National Care Service.
Parliamentary watchdog to investigate Matheson over iPad bill
Michael Matheson is to be investigated by the parliamentary watchdog over an £11,000 iPad bill that he racked up during a holiday to Morocco.
The health secretary said that he would “fully co-operate” with the inquiry.
During first minister’s questions, Humza Yousaf accepted that Matheson had “absolutely” made mistakes in his handling of the matter.
Yousaf, however, went on to accuse the Scottish Conservatives of “hypocrisy” in calling for Matheson to be sacked.
UK private sector 'returns to growth' amid signs economy has 'found its feet again'
The UK's private sector has made a surprise return to growth, according to the initial findings of a closely-watched survey.
The marginal upturn, as reported by the S&P Global/CIPS flash UK purchasing managers' index (PMI), comes following three months of decline - and amid expectations from economists that the slump would continue.
S&P Global said the improvement was the result of a return to business activity expansion in the service economy - which includes hospitality firms, banks and estate agents - alongside a softer downturn in manufacturing production.
The Bank of England's decision to freeze interest rates and the recent decline in the rate of inflation also likely contributed, experts said.
Wordies Ale House: End of an era as workers rip apart Aberdeen pub years after final pints were pulled
Workers are ripping apart Wordies Ale House as work on a £300,000 revamp takes shape.
The beloved Aberdeen boozer closed in December 2021, and the council approved transformation plans last March.
Since then it has lain dormant, with post piling up at the door, but now the revamp is under way.
Workers were seen at the Schoolhill spot on Wednesday, November 22, taking apart fixtures and fittings, and dumping them into the back of a truck.