Here are the business stories making the headlines across Scotland and the UK this morning.
Former bankrupt Calum Melville was ‘in talks’ to buy Jeffrey Epstein’s infamous private jet
Former Aberdeen millionaire Calum Melville was in talks to buy sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein’s infamous private jet, known as the “Lolita Express”, according to US government papers.
Mr Melville – who is currently being chased for £500,000 business debts, despite reportedly being at the helm of a billion-pound global company – is discussed in an email between Epstein and his business associates.
The email – which is included in the tranche of more than three million documents released by the US Department of Justice – does not say whether the deal went ahead, although Mr Melville is described as one of the “top three” options.
Aberdeen University staff strike starts today as jobs row ramps up
Four days of strikes at Aberdeen University begin today as a long-running dispute between trade unions and bosses escalates.
Staff at the historic institution are taking industrial action as they demand the principal rules out any mandatory job losses.
Employees will walk out today and tomorrow, and are then set to strike for an additional two days next week on March 17 and 18.
Labour’s workers’ rights law ‘will hit Gen Z hardest’
Gen Z is set to be among the worst hit by new workers’ rights legislation, which risks fuelling Britain’s youth unemployment crisis, retailers have warned.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC), the sector lobby group, said flexible and entry-level work would “likely be the first to be scaled back” if businesses reduce hiring in response to the government’s Employment Rights Act, with an “unintended consequence” being fewer opportunities for young people.
Joblessness in the UK is already forecast to reach 5.3% this year amid rising youth unemployment, which is at its highest levels in more than a decade.
Aberdeenshire prize draw firm Bounty Competitions makes £3m profits
An Aberdeenshire prize draw business has reported more than £22million in turnover as it continues to grow its online competitions platform.
Newly filed accounts for Bounty Competitions show turnover reached £22.2m for the year to April 30 2025, down from £24.3m the previous year. Pre-tax profits fell to £3.1m, compared with £4.5m the year before.
The business was launched in Bucksburn in 2020 by husband-and-wife team Calvin and Leanne Davidson, who invested £30,000 of their life savings to start the venture.
Social media firms asked to toughen up age checks for under-13s
Major technology companies have been asked to bring in more robust age checks for under-13s in the UK, similar to those currently in place for services designed for adults.
The platforms contacted by media regulator Ofcom and data watchdog the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) are Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Roblox and X.
They have been told they should do more to make sure younger children are kept safe online.