ENERGY led the way as five out of six key sectors in the Scottish economy grew last year, figures show.

The energy industry grew by 29.6% in terms of approximate Gross Value Added (aGVA) followed by the creative industries (11.1%), food and drink (6.3%), sustainable tourism (6%), and the business services sector increased (4.7%).

Life sciences was the only key growth sector that experienced a decrease in aGVA, dropping by 6.1% between 2016 and 2017. Economy Secretary Derek Mackay welcomed the growth of key sectors.

He said: “Scotland’s growth sectors are hugely important to our economy so it is fantastic to see them generally performing well.

“As industries that showcase the very best of Scotland, these are sectors that we should be rightly proud of – both in their significant contribution to our economy as well as in their impact on communities right across the country.”