Here are the stories making the business headlines locally and across the UK this morning.
Forbes vows action to get economy ‘firing on all cylinders’
New Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has said she returned to Cabinet to boost the Scottish economy as she pledged to get it “firing on all cylinders”.
Ms Forbes said she wants to “get stuff done” and that economic choices made this year will “determine whether Scotland reaps the benefits for decades to come or forever laments the missed opportunities”.
The 34-year-old had been tipped to run for the SNP leadership again after Humza Yousaf announced his resignation last month but she instead opted to back John Swinney, who was sworn in as First Minister on Wednesday.
He rewarded her by appointing her as his deputy, and also gave her responsibility for the economy and Gaelic.
Aberdeen bakery crowned Scottish Baker of the Year
An Aberdeen bakery has been crowned Scottish Baker of the Year.
The Bread Guy fought off 60 bakeries across the country to win the top prize at the Scottish Baker of the Year award ceremony in Glasgow last night.
They also won Best in Scotland gold for their gluten-free pan loaf plus regional silver for their buttery, ‘blue murder’ sourdough, smoked Scottish seaweed focaccia and lasagne pie and regional bronze for their soft roll.
Reacting to their victory, The Bread Guy posted online: "What an amazing night. We are all still in shock."
Ballater butcher loses Royal Warrant after nearly 40 years of supplying meat to Balmoral
Ballater butcher HM Sheridan has been denied a new Royal Warrant after nearly 40 years of supplying Balmoral Castle with meat and poultry.
The store, on Bridge Street the Royal Deeside village, had previously been granted warrants by the late Queen and Charles, then the Prince of Wales/ Duke of Rothesay, in 1987.
Royal Warrants are granted for up to five years at a time and used as a mark of recognition for suppliers of goods and services to the Royals.
HM Sheridan applied for the new King’s Warrant, but was unsuccessful, despite providing meat and poultry to nearby Royal residence Balmoral Castle.
‘Common sense’ minister to scrap civil service equality jobs
Civil service jobs dedicated to improving equality, diversity and inclusion will be scrapped under plans by the “common sense” minister, Esther McVey.
In a speech on Monday, McVey will claim that public money is being wasted on “woke hobby horses” across Whitehall.
She wants to stop any more officials devoted to EDI outside of human resources, with no more staff doing it as their primary role.
New guidance is being worked on that would stop all external EDI spending across the civil service unless it is authorised by ministers.