THE head of BP’s business in the UK and Europe, Peter Mather, has insisted the oil and gas giant can help tackle the problem of climate change while maintaining a big North Sea production business for decades.

Majors such as BP have faced a barrage of criticism from activists who have called for a halt to oil and gas production in order to prevent global warming reaching critical levels. However, Mr Mather said BP could play a vital role in helping meet growing global demand for energy and in reducing carbon emissions in the process.

UK manufacturing activity continued to slide in September amid Brexit concerns, a survey shows, fuelling fears that the sector may be sliding into recession, with companies cutting staffing at the fastest pace since February 2013.

Legal Focus: Legal Aid Board boss makes the case for radical system change

Four veterans of the Scottish accountancy scene have created a new corporate finance office in Edinburgh to target small and medium-sized enterprises, including family-owned firms.

The new operation is part of HNH, a Belfast-based advisory firm specialising in deals in the £1 million to £50m range. Based in Charlotte Square, the new team comprises Neal Allen, Harry Linklater, Bruce Walker and Chris Fawbert.

 

Ian McConnell's Called to Account: Boris Johnson acts the goat on Brexit as the grim cost keeps on rising

Monday Interview: There is a quiet, determined resolve which strikes you when you meet Claire Reid. It is a trait she displayed early in her career, when she left her hometown of Glasgow for Silicon Valley, California, not long after joining the accountancy giant in 1998. Now, more than two decades later, she remains driven to test the limits of her abilities.