Here are the business stories making the headlines across Scotland and the UK this morning.

ScotRail timetable returns to normal after pay row

The train timetable in Scotland has returned to normal after the resolution of a pay row.

ScotRail had been running a reduced service since July.

The change will mean many more services - especially in the evenings. But there are still fewer services on some routes than before the Covid pandemic.

ScotRail warned that despite the extra services, some trains may not be at the times customers have got used to in recent weeks, or connections may be different.

SNP chief Stephen Flynn defends £30k donation from green energy company boss

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has defended accepting a £30,000 donation from a boss at a green energy firm after lobbying ministers on its behalf.

The Aberdeen South MP was contacted by Flotation Energy as it sought to set up a ministerial meeting to break a “consent logjam” over a major offshore wind project.

Correspondence released by the Scottish Government in response to a freedom of information request shows Flynn emailed energy minister Gillian Martin on October 6 2023, and forwarded the correspondence he had received from Flotation Energy.

But the MP's team rejected the criticism, saying: “Any local MP worth their salt would do everything they could to ensure vital renewable projects are delivered – and Stephen has a strong record in championing investment.”

Read the full story in the P&J.

Ex-Google boss Eric Schmidt to attend UK international investment summit

The former Google boss Eric Schmidt has been named as one of the high-profile executives attending the Labour government’s first international investment summit.

Schmidt, who was Google’s chief executive from 2001 to 2011
, is expected to play a prominent role at the summit in central London on 14 October, where he will take the stage in conversation with Keir Starmer.

The prime minister is hoping the summit will send a clear signal to investors that Britain under Labour is open for business and encourage a fresh injection of private money to drive his growth agenda.

Scottish NHS boards pay up to £837 an hour for locums amid psychiatry crisis

Scotland’s health boards have paid up to £837 an hour for locum psychiatrists to help cope with a deepening staff shortage crisis in mental health services.

They have been charged more than £130m by dozens of private health care companies to provide temporary psychiatrists over the past five years, including one firm now owned by two billionaires from Texas.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists and NHS executives said mental health services in Scotland were now at breaking point because of severe staff shortages, which was damaging patient care and causing experienced consultants to quit.

Click here to read the full story.

Unholy row over plan to open island supermarket on Sundays

A Scottish island community is divided over a supermarket's plans to open on a Sunday.

The Tesco branch on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides
has started holding consultations with staff and residents about opening seven days a week.

The island, which has a population of about 20,000, has a long tradition of observing the Sabbath day, meaning that some shops - including both supermarkets - currently keep their doors closed on a Sunday.

More than 700 people have now signed an online petition against the proposed change.

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