Scottish Business Briefing - Monday 19 March, 2012
BANKING
Co-operative hits further problems in its bid to take over Lloyds branches
Lloyds Banking Group’s sale of 632 branches to The Co-operative Group has run into difficulties as financial regulators question the level of expertise on the suitor’s board (Scotsman).
Company chairman to take on Scottish bank
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Hide AdA company chairman is taking Royal Bank of Scotland to the financial ombudsman, complaining that the bank denied him access to the company’s bank account and refused to speak to him, after being wrongly told he had resigned (Herald).
ECONOMICS
Jobs surge suggests Scotland may avoid double-dip recession
THE Scottish jobs market saw a strong rebound in permanent hirings last month, fuelling hopes that Scotland will avoid a double-dip recession and continue a gradual recovery instead, a new survey out today suggests (Scotsman).
UK is the ‘most internet-based major economy’
The internet contributes to 8.3% of the UK economy, a bigger share than for any of the other G20 major countries, a new study suggests (BBX).
MANAGEMENT
Entrepreneurial Spark scheme for Scottish start-ups extended
A business incubator scheme offering free services to help company start-ups has been extended. Entrepreneurial Spark set up a centre in Glasgow last year giving new firms advice, free office accommodation, IT access and mentoring *(BBC).
TECHNOLOGY
Scots vision-testing specialist has its eye on a share of £500m market
EDINBURGH University will today launch a company that is targeting a market worth more than $800 million (about £500m) by allowing doctors to accurately test the vision of children and vulnerable adults for the first time (Scotsman)