SCOTLAND'S GDP grew by almost five per cent in the past few months as coronavirus restrictions eased, according to new figures.
The data showed that there was a 4.7% increase in Scotland's gross domestic product (GDP) in the latest quarter.
Finance and Economy Secretary Kate Forbes said the data shows Scotland's economy was “continuing its recovery” from the Covid pandemic.
Over the three months of April to June 2021, GDP was 21.7% higher than it had been for the same period in 2020, when the impacts of Covid-19 and lockdown were at their worst.
In the most recent quarter, the services sector grew by 5.2%, while output in the production sector was up 3.5% with a rise of 3.3% in construction.
READ MORE: SNP government is 'pro business, pro prosperity', Kate Forbes tells MSPs
Forbes said the figures were “a tribute to the adaptability and resilience shown by so many businesses during the pandemic”.
She added: “It is clear to see the growth in the second quarter reflects the removal of lockdown restrictions, increased mobility and the acceleration of the vaccination programme.”
Forbes stressed the need for “fair and sustained economic growth”, pledging the Scottish Government would bring forward a 10-year National Strategy for Economic Transformation this autumn.
This, she said, “will build on our green economic recovery, prioritise investment in the industries of the future and deliver new, good and green jobs”.
READ MORE: Scotland could see GDP cut by £9bn thanks to Brexit, SNP say
The Economy Secretary warned: “The pandemic is not over. Challenges remain and some sectors such as retail, tourism and hospitality still face obstacles on the road to recovery.
“But this GDP estimate clearly shows that Scotland’s economy is continuing its recovery from the global pandemic as we work with business and trades unions to build a greener, fairer and more prosperous economy with wellbeing at its core.”
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 hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel