Here are the business stories making the headlines this morning.
Growth is UK's 'national mission', chancellor to say
Rachel Reeves will promise to make kickstarting economic growth a "national mission", in her first speech as chancellor.
Speaking to business leaders at the Treasury later, Ms Reeves will set out Labour's plan for the economy and say the era of "chaos and irresponsibility is over".
She is also expected to announce she will bring back compulsory housebuilding targets, as part of an overhaul of Britain's planning rules.
And she will say that with political turmoil in the France and the US, Britain is now back as one of the most stable places for international investment.
Aberdeenshire firm Elemental Energies seals Norwegian takeover
Aberdeenshire firm Elemental Energies is expecting a turnover boost worth more than £50 million this year alone though a new acquisition in Norway.
The Westhill-based oil and gas wells specialist has snapped up Well Expertise, which has its headquarters in Randaberg, just outside Stavanger.
The value of the deal was undisclosed.
Read the full story here.
Spending at water regulator is ‘poorest’ watchdog has seen
Scotland’s public finances watchdog has described the behaviour of the nation’s scandal-hit water regulator as the “most surprising” he has witnessed in his 26-year career.
Stephen Boyle, the auditor general, said that he could not remember seeing taxpayers’ money spent as “poorly” as at the Water Industry Commission for Scotland (Wics).
His remarks, in an exclusive interview with The Times, came after investigations revealed that former executives at the quango enjoyed boozy meals at luxury restaurants and extensive foreign travel on expenses.
Alan Sutherland, the regulator’s former chief executive, left his post after an investigation by Boyle’s Audit Scotland in December of last year.
Lord Saatchi weighs Telegraph move ahead of bid deadline
One of the advertising gurus who helped propel Margaret Thatcher to power is weighing the formation of a consortium to bid for The Daily Telegraph.
Sky News has learnt that Lord Saatchi, the Conservative peer, has been discussing the option of launching an offer for the right-leaning newspapers ahead of a deadline later this month.
Lord Saatchi is said to have been discussing the possibility of assembling a bid with Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild, a former director of The Economist Group.
City sources said they had approached a number of potential financial backers in recent weeks, although neither could be reached for comment, and people close to the process cautioned that it was far from certain that they would ultimately participate in an offer.