Here are the top business stories making the headlines in the morning newspapers.


Many more wind farms on cards for Scotland

Scotland's most rural communities could become blighted by thousands of turbines being installed as the Scottish Government controversially relaxed planning rules.

The Daily Express says it has been revealed that 19,000 new turbines could be given the go-ahead under new proposals by the SNP who are rushing to meet their green targets.

Energy secretary Michael Matheson confirmed that onshore wind capacity will need to double from current levels over the next eight years in a bid to combat climate change. Hundreds of wind turbines will also be placed offshore in an effort to at least quadruple electricity generation.

Cash sought by Waldorf for deals

Waldorf Production, a prolific buyer of oil and gas exploration assets in the North Sea, is seeking to raise as much as $2billion (£1.69billion) to help bankroll more deals, according to sources.

The British company is said to be working with advisers to set up a vehicle that will raise capital from outside investors and make acquisitions.

Energy Voice says that Waldorf, led by chief executive officer Erik Brodahl, arrived on the North Sea scene when it bought Endeavour Energy UK for an undisclosed sum in 2019.

It has since been involved in deals including the acquisitions of Hungarian refiner Mol Nyrt's UK upstream assets, and the Dutch assets of North Sea oil and gas producer Dana Petroleum and Abu Dhabi National Energy Co.

Multiple parties interested in Hurricane

Hurricane Energy has received expressions of interest from multiple parties in its process to sell the business.

Energy Voice says the West of Shetland operator started the process earlier this month following an "unsolicited offer".

In a trading update, the London-listed firm said the work was progressing.


Border Force strikes over festive season

Major ports and airports are set to be disrupted by strikes over the Christmas period.

The PCS union members in the Border Force are due to take action as part of a dispute over pay, jobs and pensions.

Driving tests and payments to farmers could also be disrupted as civil servants from different government departments strike.

The Cabinet Office said it had plans in place to keep essential services running.

The BBC says the action will start in mid-December and continue for a month, with some workers out for an entire month.

Thousands of workers are expected to take part.

Banksy unhappy with retailer Guess

Banksy has hit out at clothes retailer Guess, claiming the company has used his designs without permission.

The graffiti artist posted a photo of the Regent Street store in London, and suggested shoplifters should visit.

He wrote on Instagram: "They've helped themselves to my artwork without asking, how can it be wrong for you to do the same to their clothes?"

The shop featured Banksy's Flower Thrower graffiti plus clothes bearing his images. Guess has not commented.

The BBC says the US clothing brand has advertised a new collection "with graffiti by Banksy".

The company said the collection was created in collaboration with Brandalised, which licenses designs by graffiti artists.

Social tariffs plan

Middle earners face a fresh income squeeze as the Government examines plans for "social tariffs", which would see the energy bills of vulnerable households subsidised through levies on bills paid by the better off.

The Government plans to "develop a new approach to consumer protection in energy...including options such as social tariffs," documents published alongside the Budget show.

Social tariffs would see the energy bills of low earners capped at a certain level, with the policy paid for either through general taxation or a charge on the bills of higher earners.

The Telegraph says the proposal is being looked at as part of Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's plan to replace a blanket cap on energy bills that will average £2,500-a-year this winter.

Paying for climate change

A historic deal has been struck at the UN's COP27 summit that will see rich nations pay poorer countries for the damage and economic losses caused by climate change.

It ends almost 30 years of waiting by nations facing huge climate impacts.

But developed nations left dissatisfied over progress on cutting fossil fuels.

"A clear commitment to phase-out all fossil fuels? Not in this text," said the UK's Alok Sharma, who was president of the previous COP summit in Glasgow.

This year's talks in Egypt came close to collapse, and overran by two days.

Lukewarm applause met the historic moment the "loss and damage fund" was agreed in the early hours of Sunday, as a confusing and often chaotic 48 hours left delegates exhausted.

The BBC says it is, though, a huge symbolic and political statement from developed nations that long resisted a fund that covers climate impacts like flooding and drought.

Teachers hope for new offer

Scotland's largest teaching union is confident a new pay offer will be made to avert a teacher's strike on Thursday, but is still preparing to take action that will close most schools.

Teachers across the country are due to stage a 24-hour walkout after rejecting a 5% pay increase, calling for 10%.

EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley said the union was "hopeful" of a new offer and was prepared to negotiate.

"We are ready to consider a new offer as soon as it comes to us," she told the BBC.

Swinney says no money for improved public sector pay deals

Scotland's Finance Minister has said there is no money for public sector pay dealsm despite getting £1.5billion in extra money from the UK Government.

John Swinney said it was not possible to pay staff with cash that will be paid over the next two financial years.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt told the BBC he had given extra support to Scotland, though the Scottish Government say the money will be consumed by inflation.

The BBC says the £1.5billion was among the measures announced in the Budget - which also included tax rises and cuts to public services.

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