Low confidence hits stagnant Scots economy
The Lloyds TSB Scotland Business Monitor, out today, shows that for the three months up to the end of May 35% of firms said turnover was static and 33% experienced a decrease.
Group Political Editor
I've been a journalist since the late 1960s which, in this trade, means I'm something of a survivor. Although I started in newspapers, I worked for the BBC for about 25 years before returning to print journalism in 1999.
I've been a journalist since the late 1960s which, in this trade, means I'm something of a survivor. Although I started in newspapers, I worked for the BBC for about 25 years before returning to print journalism in 1999.
The Lloyds TSB Scotland Business Monitor, out today, shows that for the three months up to the end of May 35% of firms said turnover was static and 33% experienced a decrease.
The GMB union hit out after NHS Lothian decided to close the unit at St John's Hospital, in Livingston, West Lothian, after the removal of trainee paediatricians.
Despite the First Minister revealing for the first time in his evidence to the Leveson Inquiry that his confidential financial records had allegedly been targeted by the Observer in 1999, the spokesman said Mr Salmond's current view was that it was the responsibility of the newspaper and not the police to investigate.
Lord Oakeshott, an ally of Business Secretary Vince Cable, said he had a "creepy feeling" about lobbying on behalf of Rupert Murdoch, adding the media mogul's empire was not treated by the Government like any other organisation.
The Finance Secretary will say Mr Osborne's austerity policy, which has seen widespread public-sector cuts, is to blame for the UK's current woes, rather than the wider economic problems of Europe, which resulted in an £80 billion EU bail-out for Spain's banks on Saturday.
Scotland's second richest man told other business leaders and politicians, including First Minister Alex Salmond, they had better "think again" unless they were happy to accept a 1% growth rate and be compared to other European countries struggling through economic crises.
Vattenfall, one of the biggest wind power operators in the UK and a key player in the industry in Scotland, blames Holyrood's planning system for allowing objectors to delay wind-farm developments.
MSPs voted by 69 votes to 52 to back a motion supporting the nationalist cause. However, although symbolic for the SNP, it has no legal standing.
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