4G mobile broadband extended in Outer Hebrides

Hello and welcome to our daily digest of business, financial and economic news from around Scotland.

1. Part of the Outer Hebrides is to get 4G mobile broadband coverage for the first time through the Shared Rural Network programme.

A mast on South Uist will provide connectivity to the villages of Balivanich, Grimsay and Liniclate as well as most of Benbecula.

Those working on the water in The Little Minch, between South Uist and Skye, should also benefit.

The mast was built by Virgin Media O2 but will provide coverage for all network operators.

Chris Bryant, the UK telecoms minister, said the coverage will boost “productivity for local businesses and safety for those in remote areas”.

2. Scotland’s unemployment rate has dropped as wages continue