Scottish Business Briefing – Thursday 27 June, 2013
BANKING
RBS ‘needs to place low charges’ on £20bn loan pot
BUSINESS groups last night warned that Royal Bank of Scotland’s latest £20 billion lending scheme will only succeed if firms are not hit with prohibitive repayment charges. RBS is writing to 100,000 customers to encourage them to borrow, as it has a surplus in its UK corporate deposits that it wants to lend out (Scotsman).
INSURANCE
‘Savage’ Direct Line job cuts attacked by unions
UNION leaders have attacked plans by insurance giant Direct Line to axe about 2,000 jobs, describing the cuts as “savage”. The UK’s largest car insurer, which was spun off from taxpayer-backed Royal Bank of Scotland last year, said about 150 jobs were under threat in Glasgow as it looks to shave about £130 million off its cost base (Scotsman).
FOOD, DRINK & AGRICULTURE
R&W Scott owner toasts 24% jump in profits
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe owner of R&W Scott has hailed a turnaround at the venerable Scottish jam maker as it reported a 24 per cent surge in annual profits. Aim-quoted Real Good Food (RGF) said Carluke-based R&W Scott delivered an operating profit of £166,000 for the year to the end of March, compared with a £1.4 million loss a year earlier, despite a dip in sales (Scotsman).
SCOTSMAN CONFERENCE
The Future of the UK Aerospace Industry – 5 September 2013, Prestwick
20% Early bird discount until 12 July
The UK Government signed up to a £2 billion partnership to keep the UK aerospace industry at the forefront of world aerospace manufacturing. Join us and hear the government explain its strategy to secure large numbers of high value jobs. Book your place today.
TECHNOLOGY
Craneware shares hit by profit warning
SHARES in software outfit Craneware dropped 12 per cent yesterday after the Edinburgh-based technology firm revealed that it won’t sign a large deal in its current financial year, triggering a profit warning. The rout slashed £12 million from the company’s market value, despite management reassuring investors that profits would still beat last year’s haul (Scotsman).
TRANSPORT
Stagecoach mulls east coast rail move
STAGECOACH is poised to enter the race to run the east coast mainline train service when the UK government puts the route out to tender next year. Finance director Ross Paterson told The Scotsman the Perth-based transport group is mulling its options over the contract, which would begin in 2015 (Scotsman).
EasyJet pledges more Inverness to London flights
VITAL air links connecting the Highlands and London have been secured with a pledge by EasyJet to continue the service once Flybe pulls out next year. Business leaders and politicians in the Highlands have welcomed the five-year deal, agreed between the budget airline and Inverness airport. There had been fears for the future of the connection after Flybe sold its 25 landing and take-off slots at Gatwick to its rivals in a £20 million deal (http://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/easyjet-pledges-more-inverness-to-london-flights-1-2975369|Scotsman|Scotsman}).