Talking-up Scotland

(c) sbnn.co.uk

From Insider today:

‘Investment in Scottish property in the first quarter of 2018 reached £608 million, significantly ahead of the five-year average of £546m. The latest research from CBRE Scotland, a commercial property consultancy, reveals that investment in the first quarter of the year was led by a smaller number of high value deals with the total of £608m achieved across 28 transactions, compared with the five-year average of 44 deals.’

https://www.insider.co.uk/news/cbre-scotland-commercial-property-figures-12330945

Returning to a well-worn theme here, the above news is hard reliable evidence of a robust economy which contrasts with the unreliable estimates in GDP commonly used by anti-independence commentators. Investment in property, is of course only one indicator but there have been many more reported here. See these going back only to Autumn 2017:

Scottish economy is thriving on innovation as patent filing runs at 4 times the UK rate

And more evidence of a strong economy: starting salaries in Scotland increase at quickest rate for more than 3 years

17% increase in number of Scots planning to start a new business as Scottish economy strengthens

Scotland’s economy continues to show signs of good health and growth

Reports of a strong Scottish economy just keep coming. Now debt decrees down 93% in the last three months

More evidence Scottish economy is strong: Demand for office space in Glasgow highest for ten years

Clear signs of a robust economy? 15% increase in Edinburgh office take-up in 2017 and Glasgow set for a ‘stellar 12 months.’

Scottish businesses continue to show signs of health with insolvencies down 23% as the Scottish economy holds strong

The Auditor General strongly, with no qualifications, commends the Scottish Government on its ‘sound’ management of the economy. The lowest under-spend since devolution.

With only 8% of the population, Scotland’s maritime sector accounts for 25% of the UK maritime sector’s (GVA) contribution to the economy and is 17.5% more productive than the UK marine oil and gas sector. Once more, too wee, too poor?

12% increase in the formation of social enterprises in Scotland over only 2 years leads to a £2 billion economic contribution to Scottish economy.

England runs massive trade deficit. Only Scotland has a viable sustainable economy, exporting more than she imports thus requiring no national debt

As for GDP, see:

When will Scotland’s economics correspondents catch up with current thinking on GDP? When they can find something else to attack the SNP with.