Scotland's Economy

  • Open letter to businesses across Scotland

    3rd December 2021 by

    Firstly, I want to thank all businesses for the agility and resilience you have shown over the past 20 months and ask you to help us harness that spirit to drive sustainable future growth Today I am delighted to mark the beginning of a new era of cooperation between the Scottish Government and business leadership...

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  • Consultation closes on national economic transformation strategy

    6th September 2021 by

    We are absolutely committed to maximising Scotland’s economic potential and we want to work with others to build an economy for everyone. To help us deliver greater, greener and fairer prosperity we are working to deliver a new 10 year National Strategy for Economic Transformation. As part of that work extensive engagement is currently taking...

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  • An update on Covid baseline measures for business

    27th August 2021 by

    Covid baseline measures for business

    Since the start of the pandemic, businesses have made huge changes and sacrifices to protect public health. I’m incredibly grateful to the business community and would like to thank everyone who has spent time and effort to make their businesses as safe as possible for customers and staff. Your contribution has been vital in helping...

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  • Scotland’s economy outperforms recovery predictions

    26th August 2021 by

    I warmly welcome the Scottish Fiscal Commission’s latest official forecasts which suggest Scotland’s economy is recovering from COVID-19 much faster than anticipated. The predicted return of economic activity to pre-pandemic levels in the first half of 2022, almost two years of ahead of the SFC’s previous forecast, is a tribute to the innovation and adaptability...

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  • Working to deliver economic transformation

    9th July 2021 by

    It is impossible to overstate the devastating impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on every aspect of our lives – the pandemic has shaken our society and economy to their core. And whilst our collective efforts, in tandem with the success of the vaccination programme, have been instrumental in suppressing the virus, our fight to...

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  • Supporting the manufacturing sector

    7th July 2021 by

    The construction industry touches every part of Scotland’s economy and, with its 143,000 jobs and turnover of around £19 billion per annum, is vital to our future prosperity. As a result of a global manufacturing slowdown some businesses are being affected and unable to source the construction materials they need. That is why we have...

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  • Encouraging workers to get their vaccines

    2nd July 2021 by

    We know vaccination is key to moving forward from the pandemic and I am pleased to be working with Scotland’s business organisations to encourage businesses up and down the country to support their staff to attend their vaccine appointments. See our joint statement: “The COVID-19 vaccine is a vital step in Scotland’s progress towards a...

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  • Green ports letter to UK Government

    24th March 2021 by

    Trade Minister Ivan McKee has written to Chief Secretary to the Treasury Steve Barclay outlining his disappointment that the joint bidding process for green ports will not be launched ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections. Full text of the letter: Dear Steve, Delivering green ports in Scotland I am disappointed to have received no response...

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  • Green ports update from Trade Minister

    12th March 2021 by

    Trade Minister Ivan McKee has written to Scottish business organisations to update them on work to establish green ports in Scotland. Full text of letter: Dear Colleagues, I wanted to write to you to provide an update on our work to establish green ports in Scotland, and to reassure you of this government’s intent to...

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  • Increasing funding for small accommodation providers

    4th March 2021 by

    Funding to support small accommodation providers impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been expanded. Eligible Bed & Breakfasts, guesthouses, small serviced accommodation providers and other self-catering businesses that pay council tax can now access the new Small Accommodation Providers Paying Council Tax Fund (SAP-CTF). The fund will provide support to eligible businesses who have...

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