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Here are the top business stories making the headlines in the morning newspapers.

Deal creates 'global leader'

Aberdeenshire-based Pipeline Technique (PTL) has acquired the oil and gas business of Stanley Black and Decker, in a deal described as creating a "global leader".

PTL said the move for US-listed Stanley Oil and Gas would create a company with revenues of more than $200million (£163million), specialising in welding, coating and fabrication.

It will see its headcount leap from 350 to more than 1,000 - with 100 of those jobs based at Kintore - and increase revenue threefold.

It marks its second acquisition in the past three months after taking on the Norwegian Global Project Services (GPS) business from Global Energy Group.

The Press and Journal says PTL has not disclosed the value of the latest deal, but Stanley Oil and Gas generated revenues of around $140million (£114million) in 2021.


Warning over new laws on tenant evictions

Landlords are warning that new laws on tenant evictions in Scotland could cut the number of rental homes.

Emergency powers granted during the Covid pandemic required landlords to seek approval for evictions from a tribunal. MSPs are due to decide whether this should be made permanent.

The Scottish Association of Landlords said members would "lose confidence" and sell their homes if it goes ahead.

The Scottish Government said a tribunal process helps prevent homelessness.

The BBC says the final stage of the Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) Bill will be debated in the Scottish Parliament today.


Well-Safe Solutions raises £50million

Decommissioning specialist Well-Safe Solutions has raised the cash needed to fund the purchase of its third rig.

The Aberdeen-headquartered company yesterday announced the completion of its third investment round, which yielded £50million.

As well as covering the cost of the WilPhoenix semi-submersible rig, the money will also be used to broaden the capabilities Well-Safe offers to clients globally.

London-based principal investment and financial advisory firm MW&L Capital Partners headed up the funding round, with participation from a consortium of new and existing investors.

Energy Voice says this latest investment brings the total capital raised by the company to more than £150million.


Royal Mail workers to vote on industrial action

More than 115,000 Royal Mail workers will begin voting today over whether to go on strike over pay.

Ballot papers will be dispatched to the Communication Workers Union (CWU) members, with the result on July 19.

Should workers vote in favour of industrial action, the CWU said it could amount to the biggest ever strike taken by its members.

The BBC says CWC is the latest of several unions to ballot for strikes in recent weeks as the cost of living soars.

Prices are rising at their fastest rate for 40 years, with UK inflation at 9.1%, the highest level since March 1982.

Britain's railways were disrupted when thousands of RMT Union members walked out last week and hundreds of British Airways workers at Heathrow Airport have also voted to go on strike over their wages.

Separately, 114 Post Offices are to be closed on July 11 when workers strike over pay.


Aldi to open in Countesswells

A new Aldi will open in Aberdeen next month.

The Press and Journal says plans for the shop in Countesswells caused a stir when they were first lodged, with some locals complaining the suburb was "not the sort of area" for an Aldi store.

But the city council backed the project, and the shop will open on Countesswells Road on July 14.

It is the eighth Aldi store for the north-east, and has created nearly 30 jobs.


Local authorities can run own buses

Councils have been given new powers to run their own bus services.

Local authorities now have the flexibility to set up services to benefit local communities.

Since 1985, local transport authorities have been prevented from running services, but this has been reversed by changes to existing legislation.

Local government body Cosla welcomed the move, but said it was not a "magic solution" and councils "would need funding to take advantage".

Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth hoped the powers would give councils flexibility and would revitalise local services.

The BBC says councils will not have to run services themselves under the new set-up, and can instead opt for a partnership or franchise approach.


Scrapping parts of the Brexit deal

Government plans to override parts of the Brexit deal relating to Northern Ireland have passed their first hurdle in Parliament.

By 295 votes to 221, MPs gave initial approval to a controversial bill allowing ministers to scrap parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

It comes despite warnings, including from former PM Theresa May, that it breaches international law.

The BBC says the move also risks fresh tensions with the EU, which has taken legal action.

But Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said there was no other option to "fix" problems the deal has created.

The bill would allow ministers to change the part of 2019 deal that introduced post-Brexit checks on goods sent from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

Those were designed to avoid checks at the UK's border with the Republic of Ireland, but they are highly unpopular among unionists in Northern Ireland.


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