Scotland's Economy

  • Employment rate in Scotland highest on record

    11th June 2019 by

    Commenting on this month’s labour market statistics update, released by the ONS for February to April 2019, Employment Minister Jamie Hepburn said: “Yet again we’re seeing records broken in Scotland’s labour market.  “Scotland’s employment rate rose to 75.9%, the highest on record. The unemployment rate fell again, to 3.3%, lower than the UK for the...

    Read more

  • This week: 7/6/19

    7th June 2019 by

    Movin’ On Summit This week, Economy Secretary Derek Mackay visited Canada where he attended the international Michelin’s Movin’ On Summit in Montreal. Meeting with new innovators and potential investors in Scotland, Mr Mackay promoted the Scottish Government’s commitment to a low carbon economy and highlighted the strong partnership between Michelin and Scottish Enterpirse to create...

    Read more

  • Consumer Scotland Bill

    7th June 2019 by

    Like everyone else, I spend money on buying things and I get frustrated when I feel the service or quality falls below the standard I expected. As the Minister responsible for consumer policy, I recognise this can have consequences for whole groups of people and negatively impact individual lives in serious and long-lasting ways. The...

    Read more

  • This week: 31/5/19

    31st May 2019 by

    Advancing Manufacturing Challenge Fund Manufacturing businesses will be able to improve their productivity and upskill their workforce with support from a £14 million fund. The Advancing Manufacturing Challenge Fund will support businesses develop their manufacturing capabilities by inviteing public bodies, academic organisations and charities to enhance their existing equipment and training services. To launch the...

    Read more

  • Infrastructure Commission for Scotland

    29th May 2019 by

    Infrastructure investment plays a critical role in creating an inclusive, sustainable economy. In December, I established the Infrastructure Commission for Scotland (ICS) to provide independent advice on the right vision, ambition and priorities for a 30-year strategy for infrastructure in Scotland to meet our future economic growth and societal needs. Over the course of 2018-19,...

    Read more

  • 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...

    Read more

  • This week: 24/5/19

    23rd May 2019 by

    Business hubs Public Finance and Digital Economy Minister Kate Forbes launched a new network of business hubs in public libraries to support entrepreneurs. The Scottish Coworking Network has been developed by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) with Scottish Government funding and is aimed at providing local entrepreneurs, freelance workers, sole traders and start-ups...

    Read more

  • This week: 17/5/19

    17th May 2019 by

    Labour Market Statistics This month’s labour market statistics update, released by the ONS for January 2019 to March 2019, showed that the Scottish economy and jobs market continues to strengthen. The update showed: 2,682,000 people are now in work in Scotland Unemployment in Scotland fell to 3.2%, the lowest rate on record Scotland’s female employment...

    Read more

  • This week: 10/05/19

    10th May 2019 by

    Labour Productivity Statistics The latest labour productivity statistics were released and show Scotland is performing well. Key figures included: In 2018 Quarter 4, labour productivity in Scotland, measured by output per hour worked, has increased by 2.3% in real terms (inflation adjusted) compared to the same quarter last year Compared to the previous quarter, labour...

    Read more

  • This week: 03/05/19

    3rd May 2019 by

    New export growth plan launched The Scottish Government has launched ‘A Trading Nation’, an export plan backed by £20 million investment, to help increase the value of Scotland’s overseas exports and provide support to businesses considering overseas trade. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon launched the plan at the 22nd National Economic Forum in Edinburgh alongside Economy...

    Read more