Scotland's Economy

  • Flexible Workforce Development Fund case study – Liberty Steel

    20th February 2019 by

    New College Lanarkshire is working with Liberty Steel to deliver training funded by the Flexible Workforce Development Fund (FWDF) to workers keeping steel manufacturing at the heart of Scottish industry. The multinational company has a large manufacturing plant in Dalzell, located around a mile from the College’s Motherwell Campus in Ravenscraig.  The Dalzell site, which...

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  • Unemployment in Scotland falls to lowest ever rate on record

    19th February 2019 by

    Commenting on this month’s labour market statistics update, released by the ONS for October to December 2018, Business Minister Jamie Hepburn said: “Despite the huge and continued challenges of Brexit, the Scottish economy and jobs market continues to strengthen. “Scotland’s employment rate rose to 75.5%, close to the highest on record. The unemployment rate fell...

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  • Statement on Ayrshire Growth Deal

    30th January 2019 by

    Infrastructure Secretary Michael Matheson said: “Whilst I am disappointed that the UK Government has decided to depart from previous practice of agreeing joint announcements on growth deal support, I am glad to see that the UK Government has finally moved to make its commitment to Ayrshire clear. This is something which we have been urging...

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  • Statement on Arjowiggins/Stoneywood Mill

    23rd January 2019 by

    Business Minister Jamie Hepburn said: “We held a positive meeting this morning with Arjowiggins management, the administrators, union and other local stakeholders. Everyone wants what is best for the workforce and company so our focus is on supporting the business and the administrators in doing all we can to safeguard jobs at the mill. “In...

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  • This week: 11/01/19

    11th January 2019 by

    Tay Cities Investment The First Minister announced an additional £50 million investment in the Tay cities area to support manufacturing, businesses and the delivery of the Cross Tay Link Road. Read more FiSAB Meeting Economy Secretary Derek Mackay and Public Finance Minister Kate Forbes attended the first FiSAB meeting of the year to discuss skills,...

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  • This Week: 04/01/2019

    4th January 2019 by

    Infrastructure priorities for 2019 Infrastructure Secretary Michael Matheson has set out his priorities for 2019 in an article on our blog. Read more Return to work travel advice People are being urged to plan their return to work travel, with the trunk roads and other transport networks in Scotland expected to be busy over the...

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  • Growing our strong investment in infrastructure during 2019 – Michael Matheson

    31st December 2018 by

    Infrastructure investment is one of the four pillars of the Scottish Government’s economic strategy which is why in 2019-20 our capital programme will invest more than £5 billion across Scotland. We know the value of investing in infrastructure goes beyond the physical homes, schools, hospitals we see as the projects begin to open. It unlocks...

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  • This week: 21/12/2018

    21st December 2018 by

    £2m to assist Glasgow’s fire recovery Around £1.85 million of the Scottish Government’s Fire Recovery Fund is to be used by Glasgow City Council to provide business rates relief and support business recovery. Every business in the immediate fire cordon area and eligible businesses in the wider Sauchiehall Street area will receive 100% business rates...

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  • Ivan McKee: Steps towards Carbon Neutrality

    10th December 2018 by

    We all know the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to avoid the worst effects of climate change – that has been clear for a while now. What is becoming increasingly apparent is the extent to which this offers an economic opportunity for Scotland. Being at the forefront of the global transition to carbon-neutrality means...

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  • New approach to employability services

    5th December 2018 by

    A new partnership approach to develop employability support which is more flexible, joined-up and responsive to the needs of people who are looking to find work, and to stay in work, has been launched. Working with local authorities, the joined up approach follows the publication of a review of employability services, No One Left Behind:...

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