Scotland's Economy

  • This week – 14/09/18

    14th September 2018 by

    Labour Market Statistics Published on Tuesday, the labour market statistics released by the ONS for May to July 2018, showed that Scotland’s unemployment rate fell over the quarter to 4.1%. On employment for women and young people, Scotland continue to outperform the UK with an employment rate of 71.5% for women, higher than the UK rate...

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  • This week – 07/09/18

    6th September 2018 by

    Recess is over, Parliament is back for a new term and this week, we outlined our Programme for Government 2018/19.  Major investment in infrastructure, exports and legislation to underpin a Scottish National Investment Bank were at the forefront as the First Minister outlined our priorities for the year ahead. Read the highlights below: Infrastructure The PFG has a strong emphasis on boosting...

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  • Investing in Fintech

    5th September 2018 by

    Minister for Trade, Investment and Innovation, Ivan McKee, visited a Fintech company in Glasgow last week Scotland’s Fintech sector has attracted more than £37 million investment over the last 10 years with an emerging ‘ecosystem’ which brings start-ups, large firms, universities and the public sector together. Last week I visited a leading Fintech company, Previse....

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  • This week – 31/08/18

    31st August 2018 by

    R&D funding for Prestwick First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed £4.8 million funding for Spirit AeroSytems new open access Aerospace Innovation Centre at its manufacturing site in Prestwick. Innovation within the new centre will focus on the development of the next generation of aircraft. It will also help develop the technology for composite materials and automated assembly...

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  • Scotland is an energy rich nation

    31st August 2018 by

    Scotland has been at the heart of the global oil and gas industry for decades and, more recently, has been a driving force behind the renewable energy revolution, and has demonstrated high ambition with our world-leading targets and frameworks for mitigation of climate change. Yet, despite Scotland’s comparative advantage in energy resources, there are still...

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  • Explaining GERS

    28th August 2018 by

    Last week the Scottish Government published its annual Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) report, which is now in its 25th year. As the various media reporting highlights, there is different (and often confused) reporting and interpretation of what the numbers in GERS actually mean. As Minister for Public Finance in the Scottish Government, my...

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  • This week – 24/08/18

    24th August 2018 by

    GERS Scotland’s public finances are continuing to improve, with total revenue reaching £60 billion, as the economy grew twice as fast as the UK at the start of 2018. According to the Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) figures published this week, onshore tax revenue increased by £2 billion in 2017-18, while offshore revenue increasing...

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  • This week – 17/08/18

    17th August 2018 by

    Labour Market Statistics Scotland’s employment rate has increased over the quarter, with 2,642,000 people now in work in Scotland. Our unemployment rate fell over the quarter to 4.2%. On female and youth employment, we continue to outperform the UK with an employment rate of 71.6% for women, higher than the UK rate of 71.0%, and...

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  • Labour Market Statistics: April to June 2018

    14th August 2018 by

    These are welcome figures. Scotland’s economy and jobs market remains strong despite the continued challenges facing our economy as a result of Brexit uncertainty. Scotland’s employment rate has increased over the quarter, with 2,642,000 people now in work in Scotland. Our unemployment rate fell over the quarter to 4.2%. On female and youth employment, we...

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  • This week – 10/08/18

    11th August 2018 by

    Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal This week First Minister Nicola Sturgeon formally signed off the Scottish Government’s investment in the ambitious Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal. The £1.3 billion deal will deliver inclusive economic growth across the region through housing, innovation, transport, skills and culture. The Scottish Government and the...

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