Business News Round Up (08/08/19)
Scottish growth ahead of UK and manufactured exports jump 1.4%
The Scottish economy has outpaced the whole of the UK for the period January to March as figures show gross domestic product rose by 0.6% driven by a 1.4% rise in manufactured exports.
North West’s rental market picks up as housing sales market falters
According to the monthly 2019 Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Residential Market Survey, tenant demand for rental homes increased in July in the North West region, with 50% more letting agents reporting an increase in demand for rental properties.
Barclays opens tech lab as part of Aberdeen’s diversification drive
Barclays has announced it is opening its second Eagle Lab in Aberdeen to support entrepreneurs in the North East. As one of Barclay’s flagship labs for Industry 4.0, the lab is set to help entrepreneurs build on and diversify from the area’s natural strength in oil and gas, as well as unlock the potential of the Internet of Things (IoT), advanced manufacturing and robotics.
‘Positive fist half’ despite another loss, says Co-operative Bank chief
The Co-operative Bank, based in Manchester, has reported statutory losses before tax of £38.5 million, compared with £39.5 million in the first half of 2018, with underlying losses of £2.8 million compared with an £11.2 million profit.