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

Scotland could see hottest day on record

Scotland could have its hottest day on record on Tuesday with temperatures forecast to hit up to 35C (95F).

The BBC reports that there is a "a good chance" that the Scottish record of 32.9C (91.2F) could be broken in the south east of the country.

An amber warning for extreme heat remains in force across parts of Scotland until midnight on Tuesday.

Most of Scotland saw high temperatures on Monday with Edinburgh and Aberdeenshire passing the 30C mark.

First Bus brings in agency staff amid driver shortage

First Bus is drafting in agency staff while a recruitment drive is stepped up to avoid further service cancellations.

Hundreds of journeys across Aberdeen have been cancelled in recent days due to driver shortages, including 164 yesterday, according to the Press & Journal.

David Adam, head of operations for First Aberdeen said: “We can confirm a number of services have been cancelled today due to the ongoing industry-wide driver shortages we are experiencing. We are continuing to work hard to maintain as many services on the road as possible to ensure we continue to serve our customers throughout Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire."

ASCO exec joins global energy trade body board

The Energy Industries Council (EIC) trade association has appointed a quartet of new board members including representatives from Aberdeen and Peterhead logistics firm ASCO, US energy giant ExxonMobil and crew transfer and UK cargo equipment company Reflex Marine.

Joining in non-executive roles are Thuy-Tien Le Guen Dang, ASCO Group’s sustainability and marketing manager; Ileana Ferber, ExxonMobil’s corporate local content subject matters expert and Sandra Antonovic, Reflex Marine’s chief operating officer.

The Press & Journal also reports that Neil Golding, EIC director of market intelligence, has also been made an executive member of the board.

Energy sector warned of helicopter shortage

New analysis of the global helicopter services sector shows a return to pre-pandemic levels of activity, but warns a shortage of aircraft and parts will likely mean an increase in prices.

Energy Voice reports that a census of the global S-92 fleet – the dominant helicopter in the UK North Sea – shows that as of June 2022, weekly flight numbers have rebounded above pre-Covid levels.

Steve Robertson of Air & Sea Analytics (ASA) said the uplift in activity was not surprising “given high oil prices and double-digit growth in upstream expenditure.”

“Of particular interest is the underlying intensity of activity in returning aircraft to service (RTS). Aircraft that a year ago no-one would have expected to return to the active fleet are now flying again,” he added.

“It’s only a matter of time before scarcity of available aircraft and parts drives up pricing significantly.”

Inflation will be brought under control - Zahawi

Inflation will be brought back under control by the government, Nadhim Zahawi is expected to say in his first speech as chancellor.

The government will deliver "sound public finances" to help achieve that, Mr Zahawi will say, according to the BBC.

Inflation - the rate at which prices rise - is at a 40-year high of 9.1% and expected to rise further by the autumn.

In his speech, Mr Zahawi will also set out aims for a post-Brexit shake up of financial services regulation.

Russia moves closer to cutting of European supplies

Russian state energy giant Gazprom has declared force majeure on some of its gas supplies to Europe as Putin took a step closer to turning off the taps completely.

A letter from Gazprom, reported in The Telegraph, argues that the company cannot fulfil its supply obligations because of “extraordinary” circumstances.

It said the force majeure clause, which is used to shield a business from factors beyond its control, was retroactively effective for deliveries starting from June 14.

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