Scotland's Economy

  • Catalyst for regeneration, innovation and sustainable economic growth

    1st August 2014 by

    With the eyes of the world on Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games, Scotland is rightly proud of its medallists and all the athletes involved in 11 spectacular days of sport. And while we celebrate their successes there are thousands more winners across Scotland beyond the podium places. The Games is about more than medals, it’s a catalyst...

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  • Commonwealth Games Economic Legacy

    22nd July 2014 by

    I am delighted to have the opportunity to welcome business leaders from around the Commonwealth to Glasgow ahead of what promises to be a phenomenal Games. The opportunity the Games bring and the significant economic legacy they are already delivering is something this government is determined to see Scotland make the most of.  And I...

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  • Scottish economy at pre-recession level

    16th July 2014 by

    Scotland’s GDP grew 1.0 per cent over the first quarter of 2014, faster than the UK as a whole. Output in Scotland is now 0.4 per cent above its pre-recession level. The UK figure for quarter one was still 0.6 per cent below pre-recession levels.

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  • Women and business

    4th July 2014 by

    In April this year my colleague Shona Robison and I were promoted to the Scottish Cabinet, bringing female representation at the most senior level of Government in Scotland to 40 per cent. The Scottish Government’s commitment to increasing board level female representation is not confined to central government. We want to see women better represented...

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  • Young Entrepreneurs on the EDGE

    17th June 2014 by

    On 16 June 2014, the fourth round of the Scottish EDGE saw 30 dynamic entrepreneurs pitch their businesses to be in with the chance of each winning up to £50,000. This round saw the introduction of the Young Scottish EDGE which is for young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 30. It is a fantastic opportunity for...

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  • Inspiring Scotland marks successful 5 years

    13th June 2014 by

    Last night it gave me the great pleasure to host an event at Edinburgh Castle to mark the success of one of Scotland’s most innovative and groundbreaking charitable organisations – Inspiring Scotland. I was impressed to hear from Inspiring Scotland their unique, yet different effective operational model of raising funding from across sectors and deploying...

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  • World leader in offshore renewables

    12th June 2014 by

    Scotland has the potential to be a world leader in all stages of offshore renewable energy – from technological development to manufacturing, to the generation of electricity. That potential will only be fully realised across the country – and making sure that the benefits are spread across Scotland is an important aim of ours. Progress...

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  • Education Working for All

    3rd June 2014 by

    The Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce publishes its final report today. Our Commission sat at an opportune time to look at significantly enhancing Scotland’s approach to vocational education and youth employment. The reforms which have already taken place in schools and colleges as well as the growth in the number of Modern Apprenticeships provide...

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  • Council of Economic Advisers: Second Annual Chair’s Report

    29th May 2014 by

    I am pleased to present my second Report as Chair of the Scottish Government’s Council of Economic Advisers (CEA). Since reconvening in 2012, the Council has focused on three priority areas – Recovery and Jobs; Internationalisation; and Economic Levers. The Council has made good progress over the last year, taking forward a challenging programme, and...

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  • Girls into Energy

    10th April 2014 by

    I first wanted to become an engineer when I began the Skills for Work Energy course at Banff and Buchan College (now North East Scotland College) in 2011. I first heard about the course in my second year at Mintlaw Academy when I attended a presentation from a former “energy girl” who had completed the...

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