Scotland's Economy

  • Scotland: an attractive place to invest

    14th March 2019 by

    With investment in Scottish commercial property topping £2.3 billion, 37% ahead of the 10-year annual average, the sector in Scotland is buoyant. Couple that with Scotland being named one of the most beautiful countries in the world – according to Rock Guide – and its little wonder businesses are keen to locate here. In fact,...

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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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  • Energy networks to secure low carbon future

    13th March 2019 by

    The role our energy networks will need to play if we are to secure a low carbon future has been outlined. The Electricity and Gas Networks Vision Statement follows extensive engagement with stakeholders including consumer representatives, Scotland’s electricity and gas network businesses and the energy regulator Ofgem. The Statement: Underlines the need for our electricity...

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  • This week: 08/03/19

    8th March 2019 by

    Women in the economy Tackling the gender gap in enterprise is an economic and moral imperative for the Scottish Government, and we have taken various measures to support more women to set up and succeed in business. Actions have seen the proportion of women actively starting a business in Scotland catching-up to the UK average...

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  • Growth deal confirmed as Ayrshire celebrates major investment boost

    8th March 2019 by

    A multi-million pound investment package that will change the face of Ayrshire was rubber-stamped today (Friday 8 March) by the three Ayrshire Councils and the UK and Scottish Governments. The £251.5 million Ayrshire Growth Deal was signed and sealed, kick-starting a range of projects across the region. The UK and Scottish Governments will each invest...

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  • Welcoming International Women’s Day

    8th March 2019 by

    Today is International Women’s Day. It’s also the last day of Scottish Apprenticeship Week. Although very different in scale and theme, both events share an overarching theme: creating and celebrating opportunity. The opportunity I want to focus on during this important day, both as a woman but also as the Digital Economy Minister for Scotland,...

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  • Statistics highlight importance of EU market to Scotland

    7th March 2019 by

    The publication of HMRC’s latest Regional Trade Statistics this morning shows the importance of the EU market to Scotland. Commenting on the statistics, Trade Minister Ivan McKee said: “These are very encouraging figures. The value of Scotland’s annual goods exports increased by 6 per cent to £30.3 billion. This is a higher growth rate than...

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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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  • Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2019: Skills for the Future

    3rd March 2019 by

    From Monday 4th to Friday 8th, employers, apprentices, and training providers across Scotland will come together for Scottish Apprenticeship Week to celebrate and showcase the contribution that work-based learning offers to individuals, employers and the economy. Now in its ninth year, Scottish Apprenticeship Week is an annual campaign co-ordinated by Skills Development Scotland which includes...

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  • This week: 01/03/19

    1st March 2019 by

    Fair Work Action Plan A range of measures to support employers to embed fairer working practices have been set out in a new Fair Work Action Plan. Business and Fair Work Minister Jamie Hepburn said the action plan includes a commitment to a new benchmarking tool to help employers assess their current practices and to...

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