THE head of a company linked with senior Tory minister Alister Jack has said they have never met or spoken after it was revealed the company benefitted from a £2 million Covid loan during lockdown. Source

David Anderson on the gongs and patronage that remain as the last traces of Empire. The ‘Honours’ list came round again with a malignant monotony. Oh aye, said I, and my weary eyebrow raised itself asymptomatically. I mean, my condition is very clear, and can only be remedied by the abolition of the monarchy, decommissioning […] Source

A NEW Marks & Spencer store is set to open in Scotland as the business invests £480 million as part of a wider restructure of its business. Source

IN this series of articles members of the Scottish Currency Group will outline the case for a separate Scottish currency – the Scottish Pound – to be established as soon as possible after independence; highlight the transformational opportunities this will enable to address present economic and social challenges facing Scotland; and answer questions about how the change is likely to affect households and businesses in practice … Source

My son’s school is collecting for a local Food Bank. “What’s a food bank?” he asks. The lengthy explanation causes some confusion. Of course we should support our local food bank and we will, but the extent to which this fairly recent phenomenon has become completely normalised is worth registering. It’s become routine to assume […] Source

A BYRON Burger restaurant in Edinburgh city centre is set to shut as part of a wave of closures after the company fell into administration. Source

NICOLA Sturgeon has appointed a chief business adviser to help drive sustainable growth and long-term economic success for Scotland. Source

A LIST published by The Times has dubbed two Moray spots some of the UK's poshest villages. …

The Scottish Independence movement is at a cross roads as regards strategy and tactics (not the same thing). In March, members of the SNP will meet to debate and determine future strategy for the cause of independence.  On the 25 and 26 of February the Aberdeen Independence Movement will host a major Progress to Yes […] Source

THE UK Government has promised to help businesses with their energy bills for another year, but significantly reduced the amount of support they will get. Source

POLICE are asking to public to help them crack a Moray cooking oil theft case. …

SPRINGFIELD Properties have reached a significant milestone as the business tries to reduce its carbon footprint. …

THREE Scottish firms linked with Donald Trump have their company accounts marked as “overdue” on the public records, it has emerged. Source