Here are the business stories making the headlines across Scotland and the UK this morning.
UK economy grows at fastest pace in two years
Growth in the UK economy accelerated to 0.7% in the third quarter of the year, the fastest pace in two years, with signs that AI is boosting productivity.
Official figures for gross domestic produce, a measure of activity in the economy, was in line with estimates from City economists and above the 0.4% forecast by the Bank of England between June and September. It is the best quarter for output since the first quarter of 2024.
The Office for National Statistics said output rose by 0.2% in September, beating a projection of flat growth.
Read more in The Times.
Government could force media industry to improve safeguards after Walliams allegations
The government is prepared to force the entertainment industry to improve safeguarding practices unless rapid change is introduced, BBC Newsnight has learned.
An investigation by the Guardian and ITV News alleged that entertainer David Walliams had been accused by several women of sexual misconduct and abusing his position, which he denies.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy will tell a meeting of industry leaders next week that if their response to recent allegations is not robust enough, she is prepared to force participation in the industry body to protect whistleblowers, the BBC understands.
Aberdeen firm plans to double its workforce after major contract wins
An Aberdeen software firm plans to double its headcount over the next year after major contract wins.
Chorus supports companies in high-hazard industries with its software platform that shows training delivery, compliance monitoring and competence tracking in one place.
Founded in 2022, the company hired its first employee the following year. It now employs 12 staff and has a £1.5million turnover.
Read the P&J exclusive here.
Schools in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Italy evacuated after ‘bomb threats’
Hundreds of schools across Scotland, Northern Ireland and Italy have been evacuated after a wave of hoax bomb threats.
About 6,300 schools in Italy received a threatening email, according to the country’s education ministry, days after similar threats targeted airlines. Hackers also sabotaged supermarket freezers and blood banks across Europe.
At least 1,000 schools were targeted in Scotland, including many in the Highlands, Dumfries and Galloway, Inverclyde, West Lothian, Perth and Kinross, and Fife.
Find out more in The Times.
Milburn review calls for young people to be taken off sickness benefits
Young people will be moved off the main sickness and disability benefits under radical plans to overhaul the welfare state and invest billions of pounds more in employment support.
Alan Milburn, who has spent the past year conducting a review into the one million people aged 18-24 who are not in education, employment or training, said he had concluded that the system needed to be rebuilt “from scratch” to stop people being trapped on benefits “in perpetuity”.
In an interview with The Times, the former health secretary acknowledged that the plans would not be “pain-free” as some people would lose out on financial support. However, he said reforming the system offered the best chance of young people finding work and building a “good life”.
Poundland set for more time to secure a rescue deal as emergency talks continue
Poundland looks set to avoid immediate collapse after its US owners told MPs on Wednesday they were in favour of extending a deadline to find a rescue deal.
The discount chain, which has 11,000 employees, has been edging towards administration after being blocked by Gordon Brothers from accessing cash in its bank accounts.
A deadline to secure a buyer for the business is set to expire at midnight, but sources close to the situation told the BBC they expect more time will be given thanks to the release funding in recent days.
Anthropic’s bankers may push its valuation past $1.5trn at IPO
Anthropic’s bankers may push its valuation past $1.5trn in next week’s initial public offering, it has emerged one day after the artificial intelligence group set a lower target.
The company behind Claude launched its marketing roadshow on Wednesday and has received significant demand from investors who want to participate in the hotly anticipated float.
Regulatory filings show that the company is targeting a valuation of between $1.26trn and $1.41trn, with shares priced at a range of $70 to $78. However, the Financial Times reported that Anthropic’s bankers were likely to raise the share price above the target range, which would lift its valuation to more than $1.5trn.
Read the full story on The Times' website.
Jensen Huang fighting for future as Nvidia boss after second relationship emerges
Jensen Huang is fighting for his future as Nvidia boss after reports emerged that he has also had a relationship with a subordinate at the company.
Huang, 63, was caught on video being affectionate with Kimberly Powell, 48, Nvidia’s vice-president of healthcare, during a conference in March, The New York Times reported.
Nvidia’s board is holding talks in the US to determine whether Huang can continue in his position, according to Reuters. It is understood it has already been in touch with an external firm to discuss potential successors to Huang.