Here are the business stories making the headlines across the North-east, Scotland and the UK this morning.

Street closures as King Charles visits Aberdeen

King Charles will visit Aberdeen this morning to meet refugee families who have settled in the city.

He will hear stories from those who have travelled to the north-east from Ukraine, Syria and Afghanistan about the challenges they have faced.

Between 10am and 3pm today, numerous busy streets in the city will be shut to traffic. Full details are available on the P&J website.

Public ownership of Stoneywood Mill to be considered

The likelihood of a public ownership bid for the struggling Stoneywood Mill could become clearer in a fortnight.

More than 300 people lost their jobs at the Aberdeen plant in September as the owners went into administration.

The Press & Journal reports that chief city growth officer Richard Sweetnam has been asked to bring forward an urgent report.

Outlining options available to the council, he has specifically been asked to look into the practicalities of taking Stoneywood Mill into public ownership.

Fall in CV19 infections across Scotland

The number of Covid infections in Scotland has fallen slightly in the last week despite a rise across the UK, according to new figures.

Last week's ONS Covid infection survey estimated that about one in 50 people had the virus on any day in the previous week.This was down from one in 45 two weeks earlier.

However, the BBC reports that total infections in the UK have risen by 31%, the biggest percentage jump since June.

ASCO and Storegga carbon capture partnership

A plan to ship carbon to Peterhead for storage has taken a step closer with the backing of port logistics giant Asco.

The Aberdeen firm, which operates the Asco South Peterhead supply base, has pledged to work with Storegga, the leader of a series of ambitious low carbon technology projects based around the Blue Toon.

The Press & Journal reports that the agreement, in the form of a “memorandum of understanding”, will focus on the development of the Peterhead Port jetty adjacent to the Asco base which is set to be used for the import of CO2.

Directors face jail for fraud failings

Company directors could be jailed for not taking appropriate measures to prevent fraud at their organisations under proposals expected to be set out this week.

The Times reports that MPs are due to propose an amendment to the economic crime and transparency bill which would include corporate and director-level liability for ‘failure to prevent’ criminal activity.

Two all-party parliamentary groups — on fair business banking and anti-corruption and responsible tax — are supporting the amendment, which they say is necessary to put an end to the UK being a “jurisdiction of choice for dirty money”.

Trains and buses cancelled due to staff shortages

Trains and buses to Aberdeen and Inverness and across the north-east and the Highlands were cancelled yesterday due to staff shortages.

The Press & Journal said RMT members at ScotRail are currently refusing overtime as part of a dispute with the operator after rejecting a 5% pay offer.

ScotRail has warned the action could lead to late-notice cancellations and has encouraged travellers to check journeys in advance. Meanwhile, Stagecoach cancelled five X7 services from Aberdeen to Arbroath yesterday.

More like this…

View all