Here are the stories making the business headlines locally and across the country this morning.
Law firm Balfour+Manson grows North-east footprint
Law firm Balfour+Manson (B+M) has expanded its north-east operation by taking over Alastair Hart & Co (AH&Co), Solicitors and Estate Agents.
The value of the deal was undisclosed.
Mr Hart is the only member of staff in the acquired practice and has been for a few years.
He founded the business in the mid-1990s.
B+M said he was joining its enlarged practice as a consultant for a short time, with the “merger” due to be completed on June 30.
Søstrene Grene’s Aberdeen opening date revealed
Søstrene Grene is set to open a store in Aberdeen next month.
The popular Danish lifestyle retailer will launch its first north-east base in the Bon Accord Centre.
Last month, the store’s name was added to the interactive map on the shopping centre’s website.
The retailer has now announced that it will open its first store in Aberdeen on June 21.
PM pledges to swap 'rip-off' degrees for apprenticeships
The Conservatives have promised to scrap some university courses in England to help fund 100,000 apprenticeships per year if they win the July election.
The party says it would replace the "worst performing" degrees that it considers a "rip-off" because of high drop-out rates and "poor" job prospects.
Labour criticised the government over a decline in the number of new apprentices.
It said it would prioritise "gearing" apprenticeships towards young people.
UK has most expensive diesel in Europe as retailer margins remain above average - RAC says
UK drivers are paying the most for diesel in all of Europe, according to car and breakdown services company the RAC.
The average cost for a litre of diesel is 155p, 5p more expensive than the second highest average amount of 150p a litre paid in Ireland and Belgium.
Unleaded costs aren't as comparatively high, only the 11th most expensive in Europe at an average of 149p.
There is "no good reason" for the high diesel price or for retailers in the UK not to cut prices at the pumps, the RAC said.