Here are the business stories making the headlines across Scotland and the UK this morning.
Aberdeen shopping centres at their fullest since tracking started
Things are looking up for Aberdeen’s shopping centres, as vacancy rates continue to drop.
New businesses continue to open across the city’s four shopping centres, which has seen significant improvements to come centres since The Press and Journal launched its tracker.
Across all centres, there’s an average vacancy rate of 13.4% – down from 16.4% at the last census.
Four North-east restaurants and take-aways fined £380,000 for employing illegal workers
Four North-east restaurants and take-aways have been fined a combined total of £380,000 for employing illegal workers.
The Home Office has revealed the names of a number of businesses who have been handed ‘illegal working civil penalties’ – with three locations in Aberdeen and one in Methlick.
The fines apply to employment activity between April 1 to June 30, 2024. The list has only recently been published.
Vauxhall owner to close Luton factory
The owner of Vauxhall has announced plans to close its van-making factory in Luton, putting about 1,100 jobs at risk.
Stellantis, which also owns brands including Citroen, Peugeot and Fiat, said it would combine its electric van production at its other UK plant in Ellesmere Port in Cheshire.
Rules imposed to speed up the transition to electric vehicles (EV) in the UK partly drove the decision, the firm said.
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Gambling slots to be limited to £5 per spin
The amount of money people can place on a single online slots bet will be restricted as part of a wider government overhaul to tackle gambling addiction.
A £5 per spin limit will apply to all adults aged 25 and over with a £2 per spin limit for 18 to 24-year-olds.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is also set to increase taxes on gambling companies to fund addiction treatment.
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