Here are the business stories making the headlines locally and across the country this morning.
Crumpet and meat price falls push inflation lower
Price falls for some food items like meat, crumpets and chocolate biscuits helped drive inflation down to its lowest level in two and a half years.
The rate consumer prices have been rising at fell to 3.2% in the year to March, down from 3.4% the month before, according to official figures.
Inflation has been falling gradually since it peaked at 11.1% in late 2022.
However, lower inflation does not mean prices overall are coming down, they are just rising less quickly.
Westhill firm Ashtead Technology powers ahead after acquiring Ace Winches
Ashtead Technology, the subsea equipment rental and solutions firm based in Westhill, near Aberdeen, has seen profits surge nearly 70% on the back of recent acquisitions.
Its latest takeover saw it pounce for fellow north-east business Ace Winches, a specialist in the design, assembly and rental of lifting, pulling and deployment equipment and services.
At the time, the sale of Ace – based at Towie Barclay Works, near Turriff – by Alfie and Valerie Cheyne was said to be worth £53.5 million.
In accounts, for the 2023 calendar year, Ashtead revealed it forked out about £52.6m in cash for Ace and associated businesses. It also made a loan repayment of around £11m.
Multi-million-pound Macduff Marine Aquarium revamp approved
Plans for a multi-million pound expansion of the much-loved Macduff Marine Aquarium have been approved with the hope it will create a “world class visitor experience”.
The modernisation of the existing building and new two-storey extension will feature improved exhibits using the latest technology, providing guests with a more immersive experience.
A much sought-after cafe will be created on the first floor which will feature an outdoor viewing platform boasting breathtaking views of the North Sea.
Read the full story here.
BBC local radio cuts are harming older audiences, MPs warn
The BBC’s cuts to local radio are harming older audiences, MPs have warned, as they accused the broadcaster of lacking a clear plan for shifting hundreds of millions of pounds in spending outside London.
MPs on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) warned that the BBC’s decision to share more programming across its 39 local stations as it shifts services online came at the expense of more vulnerable listeners.
In a report published on Wednesday, they said that the changes would “in effect reduce services for people who are older or less able to access digital online platforms”.
The PAC added that the BBC “lacks a clear plan” in its wider programme to shift £700m of spending and 400 jobs out of London by March 2028. MPs accused the broadcaster of being overly focused on diverting expenditure without a clear idea of what benefits the changes will deliver for licence fee payers.