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Economy & Markets

Concern over spread

Diageo warns of £200m hit to profit from coronavirus

whisky bottles Diageo
Diageo produces a range of Scotch whisky brands (pic: Terry Murden) Drinks group Diageo has warned that the spread of coronavirus in Asia could knock up to £200 million offRead More

As coronavirus spreads...

Markets plunge as Flint says virus is ‘stress test for world’

Douglas Flint
Douglas Flint: ‘unknown unknowns’ (pic: Terry Murden) Markets plummeted in a global sell-off as investors grew increasingly anxious over the rapid spread of the deadly coronavirus. The FTSE 100 closedRead More

Labour data

Jobless close to record low but interest rate may still be cut

Jamie Hepburn
Jamie Hepburn: ‘making Scotland’s workplaces fairer’ (pic: Terry Murden) Unemployment in Scotland over the last quarter of 2019 fell to 3.5%, close to the record low and 0.3 percentage pointsRead More

Frictionless trade ends

UK to impose border controls on EU goods by end of year

Port of Grangemouth
Checks will be in place at ports Britain will introduce import controls on European Union goods once the Brexit transition period ends on 31 December, said Cabinet minister Michael Gove.Read More

Investors nervous

Market hit on coronavirus health warning for UK

coronavirus masks
Virus warning is spreading worldwide Health Secretary Matt Hancock has given the Government greater powers to fight the spread of the coronavirus, with four confirmed cases in the UK. TheRead More

Jobs promise

UK government unveils plans for 10 free ports across UK

Leadsom
Andrea Leadsom: ‘fantastic opportunity’ Ten free ports are to be launched across Britain with UK government ministers promising they will create thousands of jobs. The Government has launched a consultationRead More

Scottish Budget

Holyrood facing half a billion pound Budget hit

John Ireland Scottish Fiscal Commission
John Ireland: ‘it’s about being aware’ (pic: Terry Murden) Scottish ministers are facing a half billion pound black hole in the budget because of discrepancies in forecasting tax receipts. AboutRead More

Scottish Budget

Forbes freezes income tax, offers costs pledge to business

Kate Forbes
Stand-in: Kate Forbes gave what one MSP described as a ‘feisty’ performance Kate Forbes, a late stand-in for the disgraced Finance Secretary Derek Mackay, today confirmed that income tax ratesRead More

Companies and markets

Royal Mail faces disruption; Asia rises as China cuts tariffs

Royal Mail letters post box
Postal deliveries may be hit Royal Mail is facing further disruption after the CWU union said it will ballot members for strike action. In November the company won its legal battleRead More

Scottish Budget boost

Election provides boost to Scottish business confidence

Graeme Roy
Graeme Roy: ‘signs of a turnaround’ (pic: Terry Murden) Scottish business confidence has been boosted by the clarity provided by the decisive general election result, according to one of theRead More