Scottish Business Briefing - Friday 10 August, 2012

This years potato crop yield will be well below average

Published on 10/08/2012 09:32

WELCOME to scotsman.com’s Scottish Business Briefing. Every morning we bring you a comprehensive round-up of all news affecting business in Scotland today.

INSURANCE

US operations are focus of sell-off talk after Aviva posts £681m loss

AVIVA, Britain’s second-biggest insurer, plunged to a £681 million half-year after-tax loss after writing down the value of its US business, fuelling speculation that the operation will be sold. (Scotsman)

Read all today’s banking news from scotsman.com

ECONOMICS

Equity expert’s recovery warning

One of Scotland’s leading private equity specialists has warned the UK Government history tells us “we cannot cost-cut our way to recovery” and called on ministers to implement a strategy to boost economic growth and stimulate investment. (Herald)

Read all today’s economics news from scotsman.com

ENERGY & UTILITIES

Water firm takes the plunge into Wales

WATER quality engineering company Panton McLeod is setting up an operation in Wales after securing a three-year contract with Welsh Water, and has moved to a much bigger head office in the Scottish Borders. (Herald)

Read all today’s energy and utilities news from scotsman.com

FOOD, DRINK & AGRICULTURE

Potato industry sees upside of low yield

POTATO industry experts meeting in Dundee yesterday were agreed on one issue and that was this year’s crop yield will be well below average. (Scotsman)

Read all today’s food, drink and agriculture news from scotsman.com

MEDIA & LEISURE

DC Thomson to axe 59 jobs

SCOTTISH media group DC Thomson is considering outsourcing distribution of the Press and Journal and Evening Express newspapers in Aberdeen in a move which could affect 59 members of staff. (Scotsman)

Read all today’s media and leisure news from scotsman.com

PERSONAL FINANCE

Aegon well set for industry’s new regime

LIFE and pensions group Aegon UK has insisted it is well placed to cope with the new regulatory landscape after seeing its second-quarter profits more than double. (Scotsman)

Read all today’s personal finance news from scotsman.com

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Scottish Business Briefing - Friday 10 August, 2012

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