Scotland's Economy

  • Taskforce set up to support oil & gas jobs

    14th January 2015 by

    A new Energy Jobs Taskforce will be established to support Scotland’s oil and gas sector, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced today. The new Taskforce, chaired by Scottish Enterprise Chief Executive Lena Wilson, will report to the Scottish Energy Advisory Board and will focus on supporting jobs across the energy sector, but with an initial emphasis...

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  • 2014: positive year for the Scottish economy

    30th December 2014 by

    This Government is determined to build a fairer, more sustainable, and more balanced economy and 2014 saw the Scottish economy log its strongest performance in seven years. With further headway in economic conditions expected next year, this should bring opportunity for business and security for hard working people across the country. The picture in the...

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  • FM Nicola Sturgeon makes major economic speech

    1st December 2014 by

    Today, I am making clear that a strong, growing economy with a thriving business base is essential to the overall success of our country. I am also announcing that I will strengthen the role of the Scottish Government’s Council of Economic Advisers, to ensure that my government has access to the best possible advice as...

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  • Autumn Statement must support sustained economic growth

    30th November 2014 by

    The Scottish Government is doing all it can, within its powers, to strengthen the Scottish economy. The latest Scottish GDP figures show the economy has grown continuously over the last two years, while our employment, unemployment and inactivity rates are the strongest of the four nations of the UK. However, there is clear evidence that...

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  • Women in work

    14th November 2014 by

    This was been a historic week for female employment. In amongst some very positive news in the latest labour market figures was proof that that we are making a difference in narrowing of the gender gap. The gap between male and female employment rates in Scotland shrunk from 9.4 percentage points in Nov-Jan 2013 to...

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  • Council of Economic Advisers meets

    12th November 2014 by

    The Council of Economic Advisers has met in Edinburgh. It is the sixth time the council has met. Members discussed how to maximise the economic impact of new powers for Scotland and how they could be best used to promote competitiveness and tackle inequalities. The Council agreed that in order for such a process to be...

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  • Investors in Young People

    16th October 2014 by

    Published earlier this year, the Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce has focused minds on the subject of youth unemployment. Currently, there are 53,000 Young People not in employment, education or training in Scotland. With only 27% of employers offering work experience and 29% employing directly from education in Scotland, there is significant scope and...

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  • Draft Scottish Budget 2015/16

    9th October 2014 by

    Finance Secretary John Swinney today set out the Draft Scottish Budget 2015/16. Mr Swinney said: “This budget follows unprecedented levels of political engagement not only on Scotland’s constitutional future but the wider priorities of the people of Scotland. “What will lie at the heart of the budget will be a determination to make Scotland a prosperous...

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  • Improving opportunities for women

    21st August 2014 by

    Scotland’s economy is moving from recovery to expansion with labour market statistics published last week showing record levels of women in work. Women are key to the strength and resilience of Scotland’s economy. They have made a huge contribution to the recovery we are seeing now. But too often they do so on an unequal...

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  • Renewables in Scotland: Adding Up to a Brighter Future

    4th August 2014 by

    Let’s start with some facts about renewable energy – leaving aside, briefly, the industry’s significant contribution to Scotland’s energy mix. First, Department of Energy and Climate Change research shows 80% of the UK public back “the use of renewable energy for providing our electricity, fuel and heat”, while just one in 20 oppose the idea....

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