Scottish Business Briefing - Tuesday 5 November - The Scotsman Further evidence of a healthy economic recovery is likely to emerge today with news of continuing strong growth in Britain's powerhouse services sector. Independence White Paper: A business plan for Scotland? - 3rd December - Edinburgh Will the forthcoming SNP blueprint for independence help provide the answers for undecided Scots ahead of next year's referendum? Join us to hear keynote speakers including Chris van der Kuyl, from the world of politics and business to debate the merits of the independence white paper. Join the debate today and ask the questions that matter to you. Visit the Scotsman Conferences for more details. Great save for Caley Jags as biomass heating installed Korrie Renewables, a division of north-east firm North firm Korrie Mechanical and Plumbing, has diversified into biomass heating and SPL football club Inverness Caledonian Thistle is one of its first customers. The Caley Jags are the first SPL team with a stadium fully heated by biomass boilers, Inverness-based Korrie said yesterday. It is understood the club invested about £200,000 in the project, carried out by Korrie's renewable-energy division. Press & Journal Lacklustre trading blamed for downgrade in Aggreko shares A broker has downgraded shares in temporary power supplier Aggreko citing "lacklustre trading" in one of its key divisions. However Caroline de La Soujeole, from Cantor Fitzgerald, said the Glasgow company's remains the "preferred play" in the power rental sector. High street stalwart Marks & Spencer today revealed a continued fall in clothing sales but insisted there are "early signs of improvement" following the launch of its autumn and winter womenswear collection. However, the group said it remained cautious about its prospects for the remainder of the year as it reported a 9 per cent fall in first-half profits, in line with analysts" forecasts. Read all today's retail news from scotsman.com Half of SMEs hesitant to take on apprentices Aroundhalf of Scotland's small and medium sized enterprises seem reluctant to take on apprentices with many concerned about the potential costs and time involved, research shows. In a survey of SMEs for Close Brothers 47% of respondents in Scotland seemed sceptical about the benefits of taking on apprentices.