Here are the business stories making the headlines across Scotland and the UK this morning.
Net-zero drive ‘will push copper prices to record highs’
Weak supply and the global drive towards electrification could push copper prices back to record levels, the boss of one of the world’s largest copper producers has said.
An increase in the price of the metal, which is crucial to powering the energy transition, offset a decline in production volumes for Antofagasta in the first half of the year.
The average realised copper price rose by 10% to $4.40 a pound, from $3.99 a pound a year earlier.
Councillors have their say on Hill of Fare wind turbines
Councillors have taken a stand against wind turbine plans at Hill of Fare – but the final decision will rest with the Scottish Government.
Under the plans, the wind farm would be generating green energy at the spot south of Sauchen and north of Banchory. Each turbine would measure between 180m and 200m tall.
The plans went before the Marr Area Committee yesterday – where councillors voted against the plans. The plans will now go before other Aberdeenshire Council committees before being decided at Holyrood.
Graeme Kerr, a project manager for developers RES, stressed the importance of fighting climate change with renewable energy schemes.
“We think this is a sensible project in a good area," he said.
Click here to read more in the Press & Journal.
McDonald’s to create 24,000 jobs in the UK and Ireland
McDonald’s plans to create 24,000 jobs in the UK and the Republic of Ireland over the next four years as it opens more than 200 restaurants in a sign of faith in the high street.
The expansion, its biggest since 2002, is part of a £1 billion investment by the chain and its franchisees, which already have 1,435 outlets in the UK employing 171,415 people. Four fifths of its restaurants are owned and operated by franchisees.
It represents a significant increase in investment by McDonald’s, which put £618 million into new restaurants and upgrades in the five years to 2023.
Click here to read more in The Times
Cost of public services sees government borrowing rise
The rising cost of public services and benefits caused government borrowing in July to surge on the year before, official figures show.
Borrowing, the difference between spending and tax income, hit £3.1billion last month, some 1£.8billion more than in July 2023.
The increase means borrowing for has hit its highest level for the month since 2021.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) also revealed the UK's national debt remained at its highest level since the early 1960s.
Obamas call on Americans to back ‘new chapter’ with Harris
Former US President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have given impassioned endorsements of Kamala Harris on the second night of the Democratic National Convention
They urged voters to back a "new chapter' with her in back-to-back speeches that electrified the audience in a packed arena in Chicago.
Polls suggest Harris has a slight lead on Donald Trump nationally, but the US election will be decided in a handful of key swing states.
Click here to follow live coverage.