Fear of ‘calm before storm’ despite dip in Scottish bankruptcies
THE number of Scots becoming insolvent has fallen by a quarter, according to new figures offering further hope of economic recovery.Just over 4,000 applications were made between July and August this...
View ArticleResearch funds threat for Scottish universities
SCOTLAND’S leading research universities risk being overtaken by big-spending international competitors unless there is a radical re-think over the way the sector is funded.The Russell Group, which...
View ArticleNike offloads Umbro label in £140m deal
SPORTSWEAR maker Nike has sold Umbro for $225 million (£140m) to Iconix Brand Group, owner of Madonna’s Material Girl label, rapper Jay-Z’s Rocawear and 80 per cent of the rights to the Peanuts comic...
View ArticleLeaders: SNP fallout hastens case for independent analysis
IN THE wake of the events of Tuesday – what was, by general agreement, Alex Salmond’s worse day in his term as First Minister – during which he was accused of lying over legal advice on membership of...
View ArticleMichael Kelly: The SNP... a party of deceit and weasel words
THIS government is not interested in principle, it’s interested in power – and every ethic will be sacrificed to ensure a Yes vote, writes Michael KellyDeceit is a way of life with the SNP. That was...
View ArticleFord van factory’s future in doubt after US giant closes Belgian plant
The future of Ford’s British van factory hung in the balance this morning after the American motor giant called a meeting with unions a day after closing its plant in Belgium.Ford said yesterday that...
View ArticleNHS breaks even – but must save £750k a day next year
HEALTH boards broke even last year – but face more pressure to balance their books in 2012-13 – with further savings of more than £270 million required, a report has found.All 23 boards met their...
View ArticleSir Tom Hunter acts over retail debts as he switches investment focus
SIR Tom Hunter’s West Coast Capital has absorbed £151 million of debts owed by its retail investment subsidiary, and appears poised to do a similar deal to relieve pressure at its property arm.Accounts...
View ArticleNew Scottish tax body accused of pinning IT costing failings on BT
Scotland’s new tax collector has been accused of blaming telecoms firm BT for failings that saw technology costs double to £122 million, with millions more written off.An MSP tasked with scrutinising...
View ArticleScotland’s weather: Snow and sleet on way say forecasters
ROAD gritting and snow clearance teams are standing by to deal with the first onslaught of wintry weather.Forecasters are predicting much colder temperatures today, followed by even colder conditions...
View ArticleDeadly tree disease spreads to UK
A DISEASE which has devastated ash trees in Europe has been found in the UK countryside, the Forestry Commission has confirmed.Ash dieback has been discovered in East Anglia, increasing fears it could...
View ArticleThe Scotsman cartoon 25/10/12
In today’s cartoon the Scottish Government look a little desperate as we approach the independence referendumIllustration Iain Green
View ArticleFiona McCade: Celebrity politics creates a bad smell
POOR Brad Pitt. One day, he’s the coolest man on the planet. The next, after accepting $7 million (£4.4m) to make the worst advert in history, he’s a joke. His ad for Chanel No5 is unforgettable for...
View ArticleRBS pays £26m over ‘reckless’ US home loans
ROYAL BANK of Scotland has agreed to pay $42.5 million (£26.5m) in an out-of-court settlement with the Nevada attorney general.The move follows an inquiry into the bank’s “reckless” sub-prime lending...
View ArticleSwiss assisted-suicide clinic Dignitas helped 217 Britons to die in ten years
THE Swiss assisted-suicide clinic Dignitas has ended the lives of 217 people from Britain, The Scotsman has learned.It is understood that the clinic will announced the figure today as it marks a decade...
View ArticleScottish independence: Case for UK split falls apart under scrutiny says...
DAVID Cameron waded into the row engulfing Alex Salmond over EU membership yesterday, claiming the case for Scottish independence “completely falls apart” under scrutiny.The Prime Minister led a...
View ArticleScottish independence ‘could force UK to deactivate Trident nuclear deterrent...
AN “INDETERMINATE period” of unilateral nuclear disarmament could be imposed on the UK if Scotland becomes independent, according to a Westminster committee.The UK’s Trident nuclear weapons are...
View ArticleUK retail jobs growth fastest for two years
The number of people employed in the UK’s retail sector grew by 2.9 per cent year-on-year in the third quarter, the fastest rate of growth for two years, thanks to supermarkets taking on more part-time...
View ArticleFarming: EU wants payments made public
Scottish MEPs and UK ministers have this week issued calls for the publication of the payments farmers receive from the European Union.The publishing of these figures was stopped two years ago...
View ArticleWomen’s sports ‘being neglected’
THE legacy of the Olympic Games is in danger of failing women, MPs were warned yesterday. Only 5 per cent of all sports media coverage is dedicated to women’s sport, and it receives just 0.5 per cent...
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