Here are the top business stories making the headlines in the morning newspapers.
SNP faces backlash over bid for emergency ‘Henry VIII’ powers
The Scottish Government’s plan to seize “Henry VIII powers” to unilaterally amend any act of parliament in a crisis has received the biggest public backlash in the history of devolution, the Times reports.
Ministers want to be able to close schools, enforce stay-at-home restrictions and shut down hospitality venues beyond the Covid crisis without having to seek parliamentary approval
The Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Bill was opposed by 90% of the 4,000 organisations and individuals who responded to a consultation by the Scottish parliament’s Covid recovery committee.
The Scottish Government’s own consultation also found a wide degree of public concern and opposition to the bill.
P&O Ferries excluded from Scottish green freeport bid
A council has voted to exclude P&O Ferries from its bid to create a green freeport at Cairnryan after the company sacked 800 staff via video message.
The local authority in Dumfries and Galloway said the ferry firm had "no place" in its plans.
The BBC says an emergency motion expressed the council's disgust at P&O's actions and bid to bring in agency workers.
It said that was incompatible with the fair work practices required of bidders for a green port.
The UK Government announced eight freeport sites in England last year to benefit from special tax, duty and customs rules.
The Scottish Government wants to adapt the plans to focus on fair work practices and delivering a net zero economy with two locations to be chosen later this year.
Summit Exploration and Production to change hands
Ithaca Energy has struck a deal to acquire North Sea player Summit Exploration and Production for £170.5million.
Summit Exploration said Ithaca is acquiring all of its upstream assets, bar its activities related to low-carbon energy systems, with the transaction expected to complete in the second quarter of this year.
Energy Voice says the agreement includes a 2.19% stake in the TotalEnergies-operated Elgin-Franklin hub, taking Ithaca's stake up to 6.1%, a 1.2% stake in the SEAL Pipeline and just shy of 1% in the GAEL Pipeline.
Ithaca is also acquiring numerous offshore exploration licences.
The deal was struck between Ithaca and Summit's Japanese parent Sumitomo Corporation.
Big rises expected in the price of eggs and cucumbers
Shoppers are braced for a steep rise in the price of eggs and cucumbers, as industry chiefs warned that producers face collapse amid spiralling costs.
Free range egg farmers urged supermarkets to immediately increase the price of a dozen eggs by 40p to avert "a catastrophe in the sector". Supermarkets generally charge about £1.80 for a dozen free-range eggs.
The BBC also states that the British Growers Association said that the price of producing a cucumber in the UK was on course to hit 75p, compared to 25p last year and 50p currently.
Sturgeon reiterates Cambo opposition
Scotland's First Minister has reiterates her opposition to a controversial North Sea oilfield.
During a debate in Holyrood, Nicola Sturgeon again expressed her support for "moving away from reliance on fossil fuels" and towards low carbon sources.
Energy Voice says she was responding to north-east MSP Liam Kerr, who urged her to give political backing for production from the Cambo field.
Mr Kerr subsequently accused the First Minister of "putting her fingers in her ears" over the need to protect UK energy security.
The Cambo project has been a key battleground in the climate debate. It looked finished after Shell, which holds a 30% stake, opted to pull out of the scheme, but changing sentiment and a high oil price appear to have given it a new lease of life.
Move to reduce duplication in certification standards for offshore energy sector
Environmental campaigners and trade unions welcomed plans from the offshore training industry to reduce duplication in certification standards, but pressed for details on timing and delivery.
This comes after training body OPITO, the Global Wind Organisation and the International Marine Contractors Association announced they would align efforts to identify duplicate training and to create new guidance aimed at enabling workforce mobility.
Energy Voice says this follows pressure from workers and campaign groups to reduce costs and make it easier for workers to move from oil and gas to renewables.
Campaigners including Friends of the Earth Scotland, Platform and RMT Scotland said these efforts must lead to new standards in the offshore energy sector "recognised by all operators".