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

Sport Aberdeen seeks support for extra UK Government funding

Sport Aberdeen is urging members to back a plea for extra UK Government funding amid fears for the future of leisure services in the city.

In a letter to members and centre users, managing director Alistair Robertson said the trust is facing "unprecedented challenges greater than those during the pandemic".

The energy and cost-of-living crises, as well as severe cuts to public-sector funding from the Scottish Government and further austerity, have been blamed.

Sport Aberdeen, which runs 20 facilities - including six swimming pools - across the city, is now battling through a "risky" financial uncertainty amid a "perfect storm of events".

The Press and Journal says Mr Robertson is now asking those using the remaining leisure services in Aberdeen to support him in an "urgent government intervention".

In his letter, he encouraged members to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt, backing his plea for more funds to keep the "vulnerable sector" alive.

Record UK Government borrowing

UK Government borrowing in November hit its highest level since monthly records began in 1993, official figures revealed this morning.

The BBC said that borrowing - the difference between spending and tax income - stood at £22billion for the month as the public sector spent more than it received.

The figure was £13.9billion more than in November last year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

The ONS also said the interest on government debt in November was £7.3billion - the biggest figure since 1997.

Jobs expected to go at Purplebricks

Purplebricks, the embattled online estate agent, is making more than 10% of its workforce redundant, it has been reported.

The company, which is thought to employ about 800 people around the country, has been in talks with staff in various departments about possible redundancies for several weeks. That consultation is set to conclude on Friday.

The Times understands that about 100 employees, possibly more, will be made redundant - some voluntarily, but for others it will be compulsory. Purplebricks declined to comment.

The move is part of plans by chief executive Helena Marston to stop Purplebricks bleeding cash and revive the company.

Shares closed yesterday at just over 9p - a massive slide from July 2017 when they hit 498.5p.

North-east house plans

National homebuilder Cala Homes has submitted plans to build more than 200 new houses across the north-east.

The firm recently lodged planning applications to Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen city councils for two proposed developments.

The company is looking to build 157 properties on a site at Conglass in Inverurie. The development will sit next to The Grove, the housebuilder's successful first phase.

Meanwhile, the housebuilder is looking to continue its development at Grandhome in Bridge of Don.

The Press and Journal says the firm has submitted plans for 75 new homes which will be the fourth phase of construction.

Fish-quotas deal

The UK Government is claiming its latest deal on fish quotas means Britain's fleet will benefit from new catching opportunities worth a total of more than £750million in 2023.

The Press and Journal says industry bosses didn't quibble with the figures, but complained the Brexit deal on fisheries had left the UK "constrained" by an inability to control access to its own waters.

A spokesman for the Scottish Government, which also took part in the talks, said the deal was worth an estimated £149.6million to this country's fleet and gave fishers "certainty for the start of 2023".

Pubs could reduce opening hours

Most pubs are thinking of cutting down trading hours this winter, it has been claimed.

The BBC says the industry is grappling with energy bills and staff shortages.

A majority (86%) of pubs are considering reducing opening hours over the winter, a survey of nearly 4,500 pubs by the British Beer and Pub Association suggested.

The study suggested that almost the same number (85%) are thinking of closing altogether for one or two days a week.

However, some businesses are having to consider closing their doors permanently.

Musk seeking new CEO for Twitter

Elon Musk has said he will resign as Twitter's chief executive when he finds someone "foolish enough to take the job".

The billionaire promised to abide by the result of a Twitter poll which saw 57.5% of users vote "yes" to him quitting the role.

But he says he will still run the software and servers teams after his replacement is found.

The BBC says changes on the platform since Mr Musk's takeover have been much criticised.

3M to stop making 'forever chemicals'

Manufacturing giant 3M has said it will stop making and using so-called "forever chemicals".

The firm cited increased regulatory and consumer concern about the substances, known as PFAS, to explain the move.

The chemicals are used in many everyday items, including food packaging.

Campaigners called the decision a "win for public health".

Known for their water-resistant and non-stick properties, the substances can be found in fire-fighting foams, mobile phones, clothing and non-stick cooking pans.

But researchers have long been concerned about the chemicals because they do not break down under normal environmental conditions.

They have been found in dangerous concentrations in water, soil and food and can also linger in the body.

In August, the US said it was considering designating some "forever chemicals" - of which there are thousands - as hazardous. The UK and European Union have already taken steps to ban some of them, as have some local governments in the US.

The BBC says companies are also facing pressure from lawsuits and campaigners.

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