Here are the business stories making the headlines across Scotland and the UK this morning.
Second Brexit referendum is on the cards, says Burnham
Andy Burnham has said that a second Brexit referendum is a possibility as part of his review of Britain’s relationship with the EU.
The Prime Minister said that the UK’s position in Europe “isn’t good enough” and that he would consider a “whole range of options” including rejoining the EU, returning to the customs union and a Canada-style “associate membership”.
Mr Burnham told Labour members in his first party conference speech on Tuesday that Brexit had “done more harm than good” and promised to set out options for the country’s future relationship around the time of the next summit with Brussels in November.
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Court battle over bid to oust Aberdeen council co-leader
Seven Aberdeen councillors have gone to court in an attempt to force a binding vote of no confidence in SNP council co-leader Christian Allard.
They argue council standing orders requiring three weeks’ notice are frustrating their legal right to call a special meeting within 14 days, while the council says the legal challenge is “misconceived”.
Sheriff Lesley Johnston is expected to rule on Tuesday, meaning there is unlikely to be a confidence vote before the crucial Midstocket and Rosemount by-election on October 8.
Click here to read more in the Press & Journal.
Greggs to shut four factories and cut 740 jobs
High street bakery brand Greggs has announced plans to shut four of its factories and cut 740 jobs.
It plans to close manufacturing sites at North Lakes near Penrith, Cumbria, Pettigrews in Kelso, Scotland, Seaham in County Durham and Enfield, Greater London, though distribution operations would continue to run from the latter.
The proposals will also impact manufacturing operations at its Treforest site in Wales, but this will also continue as a distribution centre for the business.
The chain, which has headquarters in Newcastle, said its retail shops would not be affected by the proposed changes and like-for-like sales had grown across its managed stores.
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Housebuilding falls to 11-year low despite emergency
Construction of new homes across Scotland fell to an 11-year low last year, despite government pledges to tackle the housing emergency.
In the year to the end of June there were just over 17,000 homes built, 11% fewer than the previous 12 months and 15,500 homes were started, 2% below the previous period. Completions were at their lowest level since 2015 and starts since 2013.
The private sector completed nearly 13,600 homes and started around 11,800. Annual completions fell 7% and starts fell 8%, with starts at their lowest level since 2013.
Click here to read more in Daily Business.
Gordon Brown’s plan for an ‘innovation nation’
The former prime minister Gordon Brown is helping to organise a government-backed “innovation nation” summit with chief executives in Manchester next week as Labour seeks to lift the UK’s competitiveness.
The event on October 9 is billed as a “landmark gathering to turn ambition into action [with] the country’s most influential CEOs, founders, investors and policymakers”, according to sources familiar with the preparations.
Invited speakers include Dame Kate Bingham, the managing partner at SV Health Investors and the former head of the UK’s Covid-19 vaccine taskforce; Kasim Kutay, the chief executive of Novo Holdings, the controlling shareholder of Novo Nordisk, the multinational pharmaceutical company; and Mohamed El-Erian, the economist and former chief executive of Pimco, the bond investor.
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