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


Shell employees in the money

Energy giant Shell is to give most staff a one-off 8% bonus of 8% of their salary.

Reuters says it will apply to the vast majority of the company's 82,000 employees, but will exclude senior management of executive vice-president level and higher.

Shell said: "In recognition of the contribution our people have made to Shell's strong operational performance against a recent challenging backdrop, our executive committee has decided to make a special recognition award of 8% of salary to all eligible staff across the world.

"The award enables those employees to share in our current operational and financial success - it is not a response to inflation or cost-of-living challenges."

In its Q2 results out last week, Shell said income attributable to its shareholders was £14.8billion, compared to £5.8billion in Q1 and £2.8billion in the second quarter of 2021.


Better pay offer needed to halt strike by council staff

Only a "significantly improved" pay offer will stop thousands of Scotland's council workers going on strike, a union has warned.

Staff at schools, nurseries and waste and recycling centres voted to strike after rejecting a 2% pay offer.

The Scottish Government and local authority body Cosla met on Wednesday to discuss the dispute.

But GMB Scotland has warned workers expect a better pay deal or they will take action.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney later described the talks as "constructive" and said the Scottish Government, despite having no formal role in pay negotiations, was working with Cosla to "explore all options available".

The BBC says council leaders are set to discuss whether they can make an improved pay offer tomorrow, but unless there is hope of a deal unions are likely to announce strike dates in the next few days.

Decommissioning costs drop

A new report from the North Sea regulator says decommissioning costs have fallen by 25% since 2017, but pandemic and supply-chain pressures have slowed progress towards its 35% goal.

The total forecast costs of North Sea decommissioning fell by £1.5billion to £44.5billion last year, according to the North Sea Transition Authority.

Expenditure last year decom work totalled some £1.2billion, lower than the forecast £1.4billion, due to improved project execution and Covid-related deferrals of activity.

The tally means the sector has slashed its cost estimates by a quarter - around £15billion - since 2017.

However, Energy Voice says the findings suggest the sector will miss a long-standing target.

In 2017, the NSTA introduced a baseline estimate of £59.7billion and set a target of reducing costs by 35% to £39billion by the end of 2022.

Work on Dunnottar Castle visitor centre could start next summer

The team behind plans for a new £4million visitor centre with panoramic views of Dunnottar Castle has revealed work could start next summer.

Owner Dunecht Estates has lodged an official proposal to build a dedicated facility that will transform the visitor experience at the increasingly-popular" cliff-top fortress.

The project was first launched in 2015 to address a long-standing issue as Dunnottar Castle remains the last attraction of its size in Scotland not to have a visitor centre.

It is expected the new facility will double the economic benefit of the castle - with gross value added (GVA) predicted to rise from £1.5million to £2.9million every year - and boost visitor numbers, also helping the wider Stonehaven area.

The final blueprints were shaped following a consultation with local groups and individuals, who had an opportunity to share their ideas on the future of the castle.

George Pearson, whose family bought Dunnottar Castle in 1919, told the Press and Journal: "Careful thought and consideration has gone into not only the concept but also the proposed design of the visitor centre, given its unique and historic setting.

"Further to addressing current issues, it would also provide a platform not just to increase visitor numbers to Dunnottar, but also to increase footfall for other local businesses within Stonehaven and beyond."

Sitting adjacent to the existing lodge with extensive views of the castle, the facility would include a reception, interpretation space, toilets and disabled facilities.

It will also feature a retail space for souvenirs and local goods, as well as an external kiosk to replace the car park burger van.

An additional residential development comprising of 10 houses will also be built to the west of the Mains of Dunnottar farm, on the other side of the Coastal Tourist Route.

The properties will be delivered by Fotheringham Homes and help cover the cost of the multi-million project, as well as create an "attractive" location for families.

If the plans are approved, Mr Pearson hopes to welcome visitors to the new facility in late 2024 - with work expected to commence next summer.

Freedom of the city move for Aberdeen FC

Aberdeen FC could be granted the freedom of the city to mark 40 years since the side's historic Cup Winners Cup victory in Gothenburg.

The bid to recognise the club's milestone next year comes in what will also be the 120th anniversary of the Dons.

The honour is most commonly given to individuals, like Gothenburg mastermind Sir Alex Ferguson.

But it can also be bestowed upon organisations.

Aberdeen City Council's Conservative group says the accolade would be a "fitting" way to celebrate how the Dons have become a "pillar" of the community.

Group leader Ryan Houghton is leading the calls.

He told the Press and Journal: "With the 40th year anniversary of Gothenburg approaching, along with the club's 120th anniversary, it seems only fitting that Aberdeen football club is awarded this civic honour."

The proposal will be discussed during a meeting of the full council on August 24.

The freedom of Aberdeen dates back to the 12th Century, when it meant certain respected residents were given free entry to the Guild of Burgesses.

Vital Russian gas turbine stranded in Germany

Russian energy giant Gazprom says it is impossible to take back a turbine that is vital for gas supplies to Europe due to Western sanctions.

The 40ft turbine is stranded in Germany after returning from Canada where it was repaired.

Berlin insists the equipment is not affected by sanctions and accuses Russia of not honouring its contracts for political reasons.

Recently, Gazprom has drastically reduced gas deliveries to Europe.

The key Nord Stream 1 pipeline from Russia to Germany is running at 20% capacity.

Moscow supplied the EU with 40% of its natural gas last year, and the cuts have caused wholesale prices to increase dramatically.

Some countries are struggling to buy enough gas to put into storage for the winter months, when gas usage is much higher.

On Wednesday, Chancellor Scholz paid a visit to the Siemens Energy factory where the turbine is stranded, and said the turbine was ready to be shipped back to Russia at any time.

"But someone needs to say: I want to have it," he added.

The BBC reports that Moscow says it can only reinstall the turbine - and increase gas supply - after it receives documents showing that the turbine does not fall under Western sanctions.

Disposable barbecues taken off M&S shelves

Marks & Spencer has stopped selling disposable barbecues in its stores across the UK.

The company said it wanted "to help protect open spaces and reduce the risk of fires".

London Fire Brigade, which has been calling for a ban on the sale of disposable barbecues, said the move was "good news".

It comes after the UK experienced its hottest day ever, with 40C exceeded for the first time.

The BBC says dozens of locations saw temperatures above the previous record of 38.7C, and 15 fire services declared major incidents because of a surge in blazes.

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