Scotland's Economy

  • Edinburgh secures Green Investment Bank

    8th March 2012 by

    Energy Minister Fergus Ewing, representatives from other political parties and members of the Edinburgh Green Investment Bank Group

    I'm delighted Edinburgh has been chosen to host the headquarters of the Green Investment Bank. This is the right decision, recognising Scotland's position at the vanguard of the renewables revolution and follows an excellent and professional bid campaign.

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  • Government and Expenditure Revenue Scotland 2010-11

    7th March 2012 by

    Latest Government and Expenditure Revenue Scotland 2010-11, shows that, including a fair share of UK North Sea oil and gas revenues, Scotland contributed 9.6 per cent of UK public sector revenue, yet received 9.3 per cent of total UK public sector expenditure, including a per capita share of UK debt interest payments. And our population is 8.4% of the UK.

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  • State of the economy

    5th March 2012 by

    The Scottish Government’s Chief Economist today published the quarterly State of the Economy report, which provides further evidence that supports my calls to the Chancellor to use the Budget to invest more in capital projects, take action to boost lending to business and build consumer confidence.

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  • Scottish Tourism Week

    2nd March 2012 by

    This week VisitScotland is getting involved in Scottish Tourism Week which offers an exciting programme of events focusing on the Scottish tourism industry. Scottish Tourism Week takes place every year pushing tourism very much into the spotlight of stakeholders throughout the country.

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  • Strengthening planning performance

    2nd March 2012 by

    Planning Minister Derek Mackay with head of Planning and Sustainable Development, Dr Margaret Bochel, and Councillor Callum McCaig

    I’ve been in listening mode since becoming Planning Minister last December, getting a fuller understanding of the links between the planning system and our broader Economic Strategy. Of course planning must support our overarching purpose of increasing sustainable economic growth.

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  • Tourism – the next generation

    2nd March 2012 by

    Tourism is very important for the Scottish economy and we need a constant supply of fresh talent to maintain the excellent worldwide reputation that we have in the hospitality sector.

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  • Open letter to business

    24th February 2012 by

    Last year, I wrote to Scottish businesses to assure them that the Scottish Government is doing everything possible within our current powers to ensure Scotland remains the most competitive place to do business in the UK. Today I have written to our businesses to outline how our Budget maintains that commitment with 57% of Scottish business properties currently paying zero or reduced business rates bills.

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  • Green Investment Bank debate

    22nd February 2012 by

    I was delighted to meet with members of the Edinburgh Green Investment Bank Group today, ahead of opening the debate in Parliament in support of the bid. The Green Investment Bank is an excellent opportunity for Edinburgh and for Scotland and I firmly believe Edinburgh is the best city in the UK for the Green Investment Bank to be based.

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  • Inverness Campus

    21st February 2012 by

    I was glad to see work getting underway on the new Inverness Campus as the project is already creating some exciting developments for the local economy, with more to come.

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  • Primark invest in Edinburgh

    15th February 2012 by

    In December major retailer Primark open its long-awaited store on Edinburgh’s Princes Street. This is significant for two reasons. Firstly it’s changed the shopping landscape on one of the world’s most famous streets. Secondly, it has brought more than 500 jobs to city.

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