Scotland's Economy

  • Response to latest trade statistics

    7th July 2021 by

    The latest HMRC Regional Trade Statistics further demonstrate the combined impact of COVID-19 and Brexit on Scotland’s trade. However, I am pleased to see that while exports from Scotland’s onshore economy are down 5% over the past year, this compares favourably with a reduction across the rest of the UK of 14%, demonstrating the work done...

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  • Brexit barriers facing artists and musicians

    21st February 2021 by

    Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop has requested an urgent meeting with the UK Government to discuss the impact of ending EU free movement on culture and creative sectors. In a letter to the UK Culture Secretary, Ms Hyslop urged the UK Government to negotiate visa-free access for artists and other creative professionals touring and carrying out...

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  • EU funds replacement plan is a “power grab”

    20th January 2021 by

    Statement by Trade, Innovation and Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee to the Finance and Constitution Committee on the UK Government’s proposed Shared Prosperity Fund. Thank you Convenor for inviting Professor David Bell and myself to the Committee today to update you on the replacement of EU Structural Funds in Scotland, the recently published Scotland’s Position...

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  • Freeports

    16th November 2020 by

    Statement from Trade, Investment and Innovation Minister Ivan McKee on freeports: “Freeports cannot and will not offset the damage caused by Brexit, which is taking Scotland and the UK out of the world’s biggest free trade area and single market. “Our ambition for Scotland’s economy is to continue to build a high productivity, high wage,...

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  • Response to OBR ‘no deal’ warning

    18th July 2019 by

    Commenting on the warning from the Office of Budget Responsibility that a ‘no deal’ UK EU Exit could lead to a UK recession, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay said: “The Office of Budget Responsibility confirms what the Scottish Government have been warning for months that a no deal Brexit has the potential to push the economy...

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  • Scotland and the Netherlands: European partners

    24th May 2019 by

    Despite the ongoing uncertainty over EU exit, the EU remains incredibly important to Scotland’s trading potential. And as our second largest export market, one country which is of particular significance is the Netherlands. Scottish exports to the Netherlands were estimated to be worth £2.5 billion in 2017 – 7.6% of all international exports – and...

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  • This week: 12/4/2019

    12th April 2019 by

    Offshore wind summit announced Trade unions, offshore wind developers, supply chain companies and government will come together to look at maximising the offshore wind farm sector. The Scottish Government and UK Government will host the Edinburgh summit to look at how UK companies can benefit more from the build-out of offshore wind farms in UK...

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  • This week: 29/3/19

    29th March 2019 by

    Research and Development statistics Record amounts are being spent on research and development, according to the latest Scottish Government statistics. Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) in 2017, one of the key measures of innovation, saw around £2.5 billion spent, predominately by businesses and higher education institutions. Read more about Research and Development spend...

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  • Response to UK Government Spring Statement

    13th March 2019 by

    Public Finance Minister Kate Forbes has responded to the UK Government’s Spring Statement today, saying: “Amid the continuing uncertainty around the UK’s EU exit, the Spring Statement failed to provide businesses with any reassurances about their future and offered no clarity on future funding for Scotland. “Years of austerity and continued uncertainty at the hands...

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  • Economy Secretary addresses Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce

    5th March 2019 by

    Last week, Economy Secretary Derek Mackay addressed the 2019 Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce Business Awards. Read his full speech below.

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