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Investment in dental care group

Scottish Dental Care Group, whose 15 clinics include five in or near Inverness, two in Aberdeen and one in Oban, has secured a multimillion-pound cash injection from growth capital investor BGF.

The Press and Journal says that, alongside the investment, healthcare sector expert James Buckley will join Scottish Dental Care Group's board as non-executive chairman.

Mr Buckley was introduced to the firm through BGF's "talent network", one of the largest groups of board-level non-executives in the UK and Ireland.

He has previously sat on two boards backed by the investor.

BGF described him as having a "successful and proven" track record as chairman and chief executive at a string of healthcare buy-and-build-focused companies.

Scotland could get road tolls

Scottish drivers are facing paying road tolls as a way of cutting the numbers of cars using them, says the National.

Charges may be reintroduced as a way of meeting Scotland's ambitious net zero targets.

Ministers are said to regard the move as "inevitable" despite the expectation such a move would prove unpopular with voters.

But a report by Transport Scotland outlining plans to reduce car usage claimed: "The public mood on road pricing has moved on since the 2000s, and that in 2021 more people support than oppose road pricing as a concept."

Scotland's Climate Assembly backed increased taxes on drivers to fund improvements in public transport.

Though plans are at an early stage, it is thought charges could be introduced on busy motorways such as the M8 and crossings like the Skye and Erskine bridges.

Aberdeen flats proposal before councillors

Developers could have plans for flats in a former Aberdeen printworks approved at the fourth time of asking.

Aberdeen Capital Investments had proposals for the former Scottaspress premises in Maberly Street thrown out in December 2020.

But the Press and Journal says that new plans, brought forward last May, have now been recommended for conditional approval from councillors.

Two prior applications, for 16 flats over four storeys and 10 flats built on three floors, were withdrawn in 2019.

Initially touted as an all affordable housing development, the applicant has now informed the council the 16 one-bed and single two-bed apartments will be sold on the mainstream market.

Planning officials said the development is "considered acceptable" against all council policies and there is no "material consideration which warrants refusal".

That is despite 11 public objections to the plans over concerns about the height of the flats, lack of parking and need for further flats, and loss of privacy for neighbours.

Scotland should not be 'forced' into CV19 easing

Plans to lift CV19 restrictions in England should not "force the hand" of the Scottish Government to change its own virus strategy, Humza Yousaf says.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said self-isolation could end south of the border this month.

But Scotland's Health Secretary warned that the public health advice recommended a more cautious approach.

It comes after one expert said removing the five-day quarantine rules now would be a "step too far".

Mr Yousaf told BBC Scotland's The Sunday Show that the country was on an "absolutely improving journey".

But he said: "The UK Government has every right to make decisions for people in England but what they can't do, and shouldn't do, is then force our hand when it comes to our response to Omicron."

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