Scottish Business Briefing - Tuesday 5 July, 2011

ECONOMY

Call for jobs aid for UK's 'one-man band' firms

THE coalition government is today being urged to help Britain's 3.6 million sole traders take on their first member of staff by exempting them from "burdensome" employment legislation (Scotsman).

Read all today's economics news from scotsman.com

ENERGY & UTILITIES

30m oil deal for husband and wife

A HUSBAND-and-wife team who left successful careers in the oil industry to set up their own business less than a decade ago yesterday sold it in a 30 million deal (Scotsman).

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

FOOD, DRINK & AGRICULTURE

Now Grouse is flying high in key emerging markets

FAMOUS Grouse-owner Edrington has cheered double-digit increases in sales and profits thanks to a growing taste for Scotch in emerging markets and investment in its five key brands (Scotsman).

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

TECHNOLOGY

Omega Diagnostics focuses on organic growth after deals

MEDICAL testing kit maker Omega Diagnostics flagged up a likely period of internally-generated growth in the coming year after a deal-making flurry that has accelerated its advance in its latest financial year (Scotsman).

Read all today's technology news from scotsman.com

TRANSPORT

Bus company director has a 10% pay rise

THE highest paid director of Lothian Buses, assumed to be managing director Ian Craig, enjoyed a 10% increase in his pay and benefits last year when many drivers had to prepare for a cut in the future value of their pensions (Herald).

Airline deals raise profit at Menzies

NEW contract wins at its aviation division has put Edinburgh-based distribution group John Menzies on course to land profits that will "exceed the board's expectations" (Scotsman)

Read all today's transport news from scotsman.com