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

Inflation holds steady at 2% in year to June

UK inflation held steady in June as price rises across the country stayed at the Bank of England's target level for the second month running.

Inflation rose at 2% in the year to June, unchanged from May and partly driven by hotel prices going up, according to the latest official figures.

It means that the cost of living is still rising but at a rate that the central bank is comfortable with, after nearly three years of above-target inflation which has squeezed household finances.

It will raise questions for Bank of England policymakers over when they should begin to cut interest rates.

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UK economy growth forecast upgraded

And in a further boost to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, the International Monetary Fund has upgraded its growth projections for the UK economy this year.

The Washington-based fund said the UK was on course to expand by 0.7% f GDP this year, up from the 0.5% estimate made in April.

The economic recovery from high inflation has been better than expected in recent months, with growth increasing at the fastest pace in two years, according to official figures.

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Harland & Wolff call for government help

Harland and Wolff shipyard says it has "reworked" an application for government support as concerns grow for the future of the business.

The Financial Times reported that the government intended to reject the firm’s application for a loan guarantee.

The Belfast-based company had requested a 100% government guarantee to cover £200m of new borrowing.

It says it has now proposed a deal for a standard 80% guarantee level that "has been awarded to hundreds of other companies".

The loan guarantee is seen as essential for the firm’s financial stability.

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Troubled shipyard given another £14m - but no ferry contract

Scottish ministers are to invest a further £14m in the Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow shipyard.

The announcement came after the government confirmed the yard would not be directly awarded a contract to replace CalMac's ageing fleet of small ferries, with the contract put out to competitive tender.

Ferguson Marine has overseen the long-delayed delivery of two larger ferries for CalMac's busy Arran route.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said a direct award would have meant "substantial risks and uncertainties" due to UK subsidy laws.

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