Here are the business stories making the headlines across Scotland and the UK this morning.
Breaking news: Profits jump 10% at Irn Bru makers AG Barr
Irn Bru owners AG Barr have reported a sharp rise in profits for the first half of 2024.
In a market update this morning, the firm said its H1 profit before tax was £25million, up 10% on the same time last year.
Euan Sutherland, Chief Executive, said: "My first few months with the business has further cemented my view that AG Barr is an excellent business with exciting, tangible and deliverable growth opportunities. I am pleased to report a strong set of first half results.
"The business has delivered both revenue and profit growth as well as good progress on our key strategic margin rebuild programme."
Click here to read more.
CASC to reduce opening hours due to road closures
An Aberdeen city centre bar is reducing its opening hours – blaming “ridiculous” surrounding road closures on a reduction in footfall.
CASC Bar, situated on Stirling Street, claims ongoing work at Aberdeen Market combined with LEZ zones and bus gates is having an impact on customer numbers.
The owners say they have been left with “little choice” due to the lack of consideration from the local authority on what effect these measures are having on local businesses.
Aberdeen City Council said: “We appreciate there will be disruption for all users of The Green and Union Street while the works are ongoing."
Click here to read more in the Press & Journal.
Pylons don’t stop house prices rising on 130-mile power line route
House prices have been unaffected by pylons and power lines stretching 130 miles down the middle of Scotland, researchers have found.
A report on property around the transmission infrastructure between Beauly, north of Inverness, and Denny, near Falkirk, indicated there had been no noticeable impact, with prices rising in line with local conditions. The number of sales was also relatively consistent.
The document, produced by Biggar Economics for the trade body Scottish Renewables, follows proposals for a huge expansion in the electricity network across the Highlands, North-east and Angus.
Click here to read the full story.
Elgin housebuilder Morlich Homes ‘goes into liquidation’
An Elgin housebuilder has gone into liquidation, putting jobs and unfinished developments at risk.
Morlich Homes Ltd constructed its first house back in 2010, priding itself on a reputation for creating “high-quality, distinctive homes” along the Moray coast.
However more than a decade on, the firm has ceased trading, according to local reports.
Click here to read more.
California sues Exxon over plastics recycling 'deception'
California's attorney general is suing ExxonMobil, alleging the oil giant engaged in a “decades-long campaign of deception” about the effectiveness of plastics recycling.
In the civil lawsuit filed on Monday, Attorney General Rob Bonta accused Exxon of contributing to a "deluge" of plastic pollution, while telling Californians that recycling was a fix.
"For decades, ExxonMobil has been deceiving the public to convince us that plastic recycling could solve the plastic waste and pollution crisis when they clearly knew this wasn’t possible,” Bonta said.
In a statement, Exxon blamed California for an inefficient recycling programme.
Click here to read more on the BBC News website.
Tax to pay for unsafe cladding removal a step closer
Scottish ministers are moving forward with plans to make housing developers pay a new tax which would be used for cladding remediation work. A consultation on the proposed Scottish building safety levy has now been opened.
The charge is set to mirror similar legislation moving through Westminster, but tailored to the specific conditions of the Scottish housing sector. The level of tax has not yet been decided and the consultation runs until November.
Shona Robison, the finance secretary, said: “We are keen to hear from people across Scotland about our proposals, which would raise funds from developers to help safeguard people living in buildings with unsafe cladding.
Click here to read more in The Times.