Business News Round Up (07/08/2026)
Government support for Cairngorms businesses to help impact of wildfire as Glenmore corridor reopens
Businesses affected by the wildfire in the Cairngorms will receive a share of up to £3 million of Scottish Government funding. The grants will be available through the Highland Council’s support scheme for businesses affected by the Cairngorms wildfire. The fund will be administered by The Highland Council with a focus on helping businesses recover from the impact of the wildfire, maintain business continuity and support longer-term recovery. They will release full details of how to apply in the coming days. The Scottish Government has activated the Bellwin Scheme to support the Highland Council. Whilst businesses in the Glenmore area prepare to welcome visitors back, some areas directly impacted by the fire will continue to be fenced off and restricted for safety. The Park Authority are working with Forestry and Land Scotland and RSPB Scotland to ensure clear signage and fencing are in place.
New business registrations fall across NW, as does insolvency-related activity
New company registrations in the North West fell in the second quarter of 2026, although the region also recorded a decline in insolvency-related activity, according to an R3 report. Its latest Quarterly Business Health report, based on data from Creditsafe, found that 18,875 new companies were registered in the North West during Q2 2026, 7% lower than the same period last year (20,394) and 6% down on the previous quarter (20,006). However, despite the decline, the region had the third highest number of UK start-ups overall. While fewer new businesses were launched, the number of North West companies entering insolvency-related processes also fell. There were 1,044 insolvency-related activities in Q2 2026, the second highest regional total in the UK after Greater London, but 17% lower than the same period last year (1,266 cases) and 15% down on the previous quarter (1,226).
Three in four new Scottish businesses supported by Business Gateway still trading a year on
Almost three quarters (73%) of new businesses launched with support from Business Gateway are still trading a year after launch, a new report has found. The annual Impact Report from Business Gateway also showed that a record number of new start-ups received support from them in 2025/26. 7,251 companies received support last year, marking a 6.5% increase on the 6,810 supported the previous year. 52% of start-ups supported were women-led; 30% came from rural areas; and nearly one in five (18.8%) were based in disadvantaged communities, underlining the national reach of the service. The service also plays a central role in achieving the Scottish Government’s ambitions around fair, green economic growth. The organisation’s work is guided by the National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NSET), with support spanning sectors experiencing notable growth including renewable energy, technology, tourism and food and drink.
Glasgow named ‘third most AI-ready city’ in the UK, per new report
Glasgow has been named as the third most AI-ready city outside of London, behind Bristol in second and Manchester in first place. The city by the Clyde emerged in the top three according to a new AI Cities 2026 Index compiled by data and AI specialist SAS. The index, in its fifth year, evaluates cities outside of London across eight key criteria, including job opportunities, innovation funding secured, education opportunities, broadband speed, and business activity in the AI sector. Glasgow had a high number of graduates moving into computing and engineering-focused roles and the second-highest number of jobs relating to AI within a five-mile radius of the city, with 52 opportunities. The index revealed that 76.97% of students stayed in the city to continue working in ‘highly skilled’ AI roles, with the city on a par with index leader Manchester, offering 12 AI-related courses at the University of Glasgow.
https://futurescot.com/glasgow-named-third-most-ai-ready-city-in-the-uk-per-new-report/amp