Business

Glasgow Business Group Donates £45,000 to Scottish Charity

Glasgow Business Group Donates £45,000 to Scottish Charity

A group of Glasgow-based businesses has raised £45,000 for a Scottish charity that supports people affected by homelessness, addiction, and mental health issues. The donation was made by the Glasgow Business Network (GBN), a collective of 25 companies that work together to generate leads and referrals for each other. GBN’s Fundraising Efforts The GBN members decided to support the Simon Community Scotland, a charity that provides outreach, accommodation, and prevention services to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Glasgow and across Scotland. The GBN members were inspired by the charity’s work and wanted to make a…
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Scottish workers face uncertainty as plastics factory announces closure

Scottish workers face uncertainty as plastics factory announces closure

More than 100 employees at a plastics manufacturing plant in Scotland are facing the risk of losing their jobs as the company plans to shut down its operations by the end of the year. The decision was announced by Berry Global, a US-based multinational corporation that produces plastic packaging and products for various industries. Reasons for the closure According to the company, the closure of the plant in Livingston, West Lothian, is due to the declining demand for some of the products that are made there, such as plastic cups and lids. The company also cited the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on its business,…
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India’s seafood sector needs to improve quality and sustainability

India’s seafood sector needs to improve quality and sustainability

India is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of seafood, but it faces several challenges in maintaining its reputation and competitiveness in the global market. The seafood sector needs to improve its quality standards, environmental practices, and social responsibility to meet the growing demand and expectations of consumers and regulators. Quality issues affect India’s seafood exports One of the major challenges for India’s seafood sector is to ensure the quality and safety of its products, especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. India has faced several instances of rejections and bans from importing countries due to the presence…
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Scottish whisky exports soar to record high in 2023

Scottish whisky exports soar to record high in 2023

The Scottish whisky industry has achieved a remarkable feat in 2023, as it recorded the highest ever value and volume of exports in its history. According to the latest figures from the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), the total value of Scotch whisky exports reached £5.6 billion, an increase of 12% from 2022. The total volume of exports also rose by 8% to 1.4 billion bottles, equivalent to 41 bottles per second. Strong demand from emerging markets One of the main drivers of the growth in Scotch whisky exports was the rising demand from emerging markets, especially in Asia and Africa.…
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Scottish Budget: CBI Scotland urges government to reform planning and taxes

Scottish Budget: CBI Scotland urges government to reform planning and taxes

CBI Scotland, the leading business organisation in the country, has called on the Scottish government to take urgent action to improve the planning system and reduce the tax burden on businesses ahead of the Scottish Budget on December 16. Planning system ‘restrictive and costly’ The group said that the current planning system was restrictive and costly, and that it was holding back investment and growth in key sectors such as housing, infrastructure, and renewable energy. It urged the government to simplify and streamline the planning process, and to align it with the national economic strategy. CBI Scotland director Tracy Black said: “Scotland’s planning system…
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Baxters Food Group cuts jobs amid inflationary pressures

Baxters Food Group cuts jobs amid inflationary pressures

Baxters Food Group, a historic Scottish firm known for its soups and preserves, has confirmed that it has made a number of staff layoffs due to “unprecedented” inflationary pressures. Rising costs and supply chain issues The company, which was founded in 1868 and is based in Fochabers, Moray, said that it had to take “difficult decisions” to protect its long-term future and competitiveness. It did not disclose how many jobs were affected, but said that it had consulted with the employees and their representatives. Baxters said that it was facing rising costs of raw materials, packaging, energy and transport, as…
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Fuel retailers accused of overcharging motorists by £5m a day

Fuel retailers accused of overcharging motorists by £5m a day

The RAC has claimed that fuel retailers are ‘refusing’ to pass on the full savings from lower wholesale prices to motorists, resulting in drivers being overcharged by £5m a day in December. Wholesale prices drop but pump prices remain high According to the RAC, the average price of petrol in the UK fell by just 2p a litre in December, from 147.47p to 145.48p, despite wholesale prices dropping by 12p a litre. Diesel also fell by less than 2p a litre, from 150.80p to 148.92p, when it should have been around 142p. The RAC said that retailers took an average…
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Scotland’s quest for independence gains momentum amid Brexit woes

Scotland’s quest for independence gains momentum amid Brexit woes

The case for a second referendum Scotland’s First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), Nicola Sturgeon, has renewed her call for a second referendum on Scottish independence, arguing that it is time to offer the prospect of progress on the issue. She said that the UK government’s handling of Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic has shown that Scotland needs to have the power to make its own decisions and chart its own course. She also accused Prime Minister Boris Johnson of being “frightened of democracy” and ignoring the will of the Scottish people, who voted overwhelmingly to…
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How the Faroe Islands can inspire Scotland’s banking sector

How the Faroe Islands can inspire Scotland’s banking sector

The Faroe Islands’ success story The Faroe Islands are a small archipelago of 18 islands in the North Atlantic, with a population of about 50,000 people. They are an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, but have their own parliament, flag, currency, and language. They are also home to one of the most successful and innovative banking sectors in Europe. The Bank of the Faroe Islands, or BankNordik, is the largest bank in the country, with a market share of over 60%. It was founded in 1906 as a cooperative bank, and has since grown to become a modern…
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End of an era: Historic hardware store to shut down after 142 years

End of an era: Historic hardware store to shut down after 142 years

A family business in Scotland announces its closure A family-run hardware store in Bridge of Weir, Scotland, has announced that it will be closing its doors after 142 years of serving the local community. Gibb Stuart Home Hardware, which has been operating since 1881, revealed that it was unable to find a viable buyer to continue the business as a going concern. The store, which sells a variety of household items, gardening tools, and DIY supplies, has been a fixture in the village for generations. The owners said that it was their “greatest privilege” to be part of the community…
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