Scottish Business Briefing - Monday 23 May, 2011

ECONOMY

Legal firms shed 500 workers in two years as recession hits hard

HUNDREDS of jobs have been lost in the Scottish legal profession in the past two years, a survey by The Scotsman has revealed. At a conservative estimate, up to 500 posts have gone, including almost 200 solicitors (Scotsman).

Vacancies up but it's still 'employer's market'

There was a "surprise" growth in job vacancies in Scotland in the first three months of the year, research today reveals, adding to evidence of a recovery in the employment market (Scotsman).

Read all today's economics news from scotsman.com

BANKING & INSURANCE

UK banks fall short of lending targets for businesses

Britain's banks are expected to have fallen short on their commitment to boost lending to small businesses when the Bank of England publishes its first quarterly report on Project Merlin today (Scotsman).

Read all today's banking news from scotsman.com

MEDIA & LEISURE

Entrepreneur says time is right to build hotels

ONE of Scotland's leading leisure entrepreneurs has said there has never been a better time to build a hotel in Scotland and revealed that he plans to open another two in Edinburgh (Herald).

Lee & Co drive European golf's dominance - and American Golf's sales figures

American Golf has chipped in with a 20 per cent hike in annual sales thanks to new stores and a successful year for British players (Scotsman)

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

TRANSPORT

Ryanair profits up but it warns on lack of 2012 growth

Irish budget carrier Ryanair has reported a 401m euros ($564m; 348m) net annual profit, a 26% rise. But the airline says high fuel cost, and a lack of growth in capacity, will mean no increase in profit next year (BBC).

Read all today's transport news from scotsman.com