Here are the business stories making the headlines across Scotland and the UK this morning.
BREAKING: UK economy grew faster than expected in July
The UK's economy grew faster than expected in July, latest official figures have shown.
The economy expanded by 0.4% in the month, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said, whereas economists had predicted no growth.
The expansion was helped by a strong performance from the services sector, and particularly computer programming.
Read more on the BBC website.
Tax banks to cut energy bills, unions tell Burnham
The leader of Britain's trade unionists has told Andy Burnham the government should introduce a "social tariff", paid for by a bank surcharge, to help low and middle earners with their energy bills.
A social tariff is a discount on bills based on household income, and the TUC says it believes two-thirds of households could benefit.
The TUC says the bank surcharge, which was reduced in 2023 from 8% to 3% by the then Conservative government, should be reversed - and estimates it would raise £9bn over four years.
Read more on the BBC website.
Sacked GTA VI developers take Rockstar to employment tribunal
Developers working on Grand Theft Auto VI were sacked after Rockstar uncovered a “disparaging” private chat room in which employees swore about their managers and complained about the company, a tribunal has been told.
The company said it had accessed a private Discord server where hundreds of people “including disgruntled ex-employees, competitors and a journalist” were discussing the upcoming video game with staff.
A group of 23 former Rockstar employees have begun an employment tribunal, claiming they were unfairly dismissed while working on GTA VI. The group claim they were unfairly dismissed for trade union activities.
Read more in The Times.
PM says second Scottish independence referendum remains 'off limits'
Andy Burnham has told John Swinney that a second Scottish independence referendum remains "off limits" after speculation that he had softened his stance on the issue.
On Wednesday, the prime minister told MPs that both in Scotland and Northern Ireland a border poll would be considered if there was a clear consensus and public opinion had changed.
That prompted Scotland's first minister to write to him, asking for a meeting to discuss how such a mechanism could be enshrined in law.
Read the BBC story here.
Anthropic blocks 'malicious use' of AI that could develop biological weapons
Anthropic says it has identified and disrupted attempts to use its AI model for "malicious activity" that could support biological and conventional weapons development.
The company's AI model Claude was also used in a Russia-linked cyber espionage campaign and by an Iranian propaganda institution, according to Anthropic's latest threat intelligence report.
The cases of concern detected over the past eight months ranged from fake dating apps and hotel Wifi scams, to surveillance built to identify dissidents.
Read the BBC article here.
First look inside new Irish bar Fibbers in Aberdeen
A new Irish bar in Aberdeen city centre is preparing to welcome its first customers this weekend.
The team behind Fibbers Irish Snug have given a venue on Langstane Place a “fresh and authentic Irish makeover” ahead of its opening day on Friday.
The Press and Journal was invited for a first look inside to see how the former Orchid cocktail bar has been transformed.
Ban masks at protests to face down the hard right, says Shabana Mahmood
The home secretary has told police chiefs to be better prepared for far-right protests this weekend by using powers to ban masks and making greater use of intelligence.
Shabana Mahmood said stronger action was needed to deal with new tactics used by groups such as Patriot Platform.
The group, led by Daniel Thomas, has caught police off-guard with anti-migrant protests in which hundreds of men, dressed in black and wearing balaclavas and other face coverings, descended on Dover, Portsmouth and outside the Daily Mail’s offices in west London.
Read the full article in The Times.