Phoebe O'Carroll-Moran, client manager, looks at the top stories for the week ahead.
The UK government is racing to secure the raw materials needed to keep the furnace firing at British Steel, following it taking over control from its Chinese owners. Following the UK government's measures at the weekend, John Swinney called for Grangemouth to be nationalised.
A police investigation into former Edinburgh council leader Cammy Day’s alleged inappropriate messaging has found no criminality. In an interview with The Sunday Times, Day hit back against the accusations (£), characterising them as a conspiracist plot to unseat him.
Following the defection of Conservative MSP Jamie Greene last week, The Timesdelves into the troubled state of the party (£).
In brief - Scotland's economy and business
- As team Trump continues to course correct on tariffs, deputy first minister Kate Forbes wrote in The Scotsman yesterday to underscore that Scotland is “open for business”, particularly in the UAE ahead of her trip this week (£).
- The UK government announced financial support to help businesses cushion the blow of higher US tariffs. UK Export Finance has been granted an additional £20bn to support British business, as well as £2m in loans, The British Business Bank will also expand its Growth Guarantee Scheme by £500m.
- Universities Scotland head Claire McPherson warned of a “funding vacuum” in higher education via a Herald interview (£) yesterday. McPherson stressed the impact of falling international student numbers. Education correspondent Garrett Steel summarises the challenges (£) facing the sector in Scotland.
OpinioNation - columns of interest
- From Barbies to batteries, this Financial Times infographic breaks down the goods (£) Americans may miss out on amid the country’s trade tiff with China.
- Biotech CEO Mike Bustard looks at the future of Grangemouth oil refinery (£) in The Scotsman. Bustard advocates for investment to be convert the site into a sustainable innovation hub.
- Though not taking place in Scotland, England’s local elections will be a vital bell weather for politics in the year ahead. The Not Another Onepodcast panel examines what’s at stake for the main parties.
- Luxury goods have lost their lustre in recent years. However, one brand – Hermès – has defied the slump (£). The Economist explains why.
The week ahead - fill your diary with key events
N.B. The UK and Scottish parliaments are in recess until 22 April and 20 April respectively.
Monday
- Home Affairs Committee to publish its report on the summer disorder following the Southport murders
- EU foreign affairs council meet in Luxembourg
- Katy Perry, Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyen, Gayle King, Kerianne Flynn and Lauren Sanchez due to launch into space on Blue Origin’s all-female crew
Tuesday
- 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp
- Anniversary of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster
- Labour market statistics released
- Former movie mogul Harvey Weinstein faces fresh trial on sexual assault charges in New York
Wednesday
- Supreme Court to rule on For Women Scotland vs. Scottish Ministers, in a case that will determine how a woman is legally defined
- UK consumer price index inflation data released
- World Trade Organisation to release its trade growth forecast
Thursday
- Donald Trump to host Italian prime minister Georgia Meloni at the White House
- Maundy Thursday / Holy Thursday
- Blah blah blah day, a day dedicated to encourage us to listen to the nagging of family and friends
Friday
- Good Friday
Saturday
- Anti-Trump protests expected in major cities across the US
- Holy Saturday
Sunday
- Easter Sunday