BUSINESS expectations in Scotland are at their highest level since 2014, according to a new study.
The Fraser of Allander Institute, based at Strathclyde University, found firms across the country are more optimistic about attracting new business and achieving a higher turnover.
Now in its 21st year, the quarterly Scottish Business Monitor gives an overview of the feeling within Scotland’s business community and is the first such report to be published since December’s General Election.
The report said: “Expectations of future business activity and turnover over the next six months are at the highest level since the second quarter of 2014.
“Expectations of employment, capital investment and export activity also appear more optimistic. However, the number of businesses reporting increasing costs continued to rise into the fourth quarter and business expectations are that business costs will continue to rise over the first half of 2020.”
Surveying businesses across five sectors – construction, retail, manufacturing, accommodation and food and finance – the study found an increase in optimism for the next six months compared to the previous quarter.
Belief that the construction industry would improve declined by 3%, while accommodation and food had a huge increase in confidence from -59% to 43%.
Finance went from -5% to 17%, with manufacturing rising from 8% to 25% and retail surging from -8% to 19%.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here