FSB spokesman at Wigmore Hall in Wigtown
In March this year, Insider reported:
‘New rates changes coming into force in April will help stimulate the economy and improve transparency, the Scottish Government has said. From 1 April, there will be no business rates for unoccupied new properties and tenants who take them on will be rates-free for the first year. Where properties are improved, they will not pay any additional rates as a result of the improvement for 12 months.’
https://www.insider.co.uk/news/new-business-rates-scottish-government-12279237
These changes were unique to Scotland and seem likely to have contributed to growing business confidence here.
In Insider today:
‘Latest Business Barometer from Bank of Scotland found confidence increased to 11% in November, up 4% from previous month. Bottom of FormFirms’ confidence in their own business prospects also rose, increasing to 22% compared with 18% a month ago. When asked if Scottish businesses felt optimistic or pessimistic about the economy generally, firms were evenly split with a net balance of 0%, although this was an improvement on the previous month when a net balance of nine per cent described themselves as pessimistic.’
https://www.insider.co.uk/news/bank-of-scotland-business-barometer-13663689
Is this a flash in the pan or evidence of a wider robustness in the Scottish economy after ten years of SNP government? See these from, only, as far back as July 2018:
Economic contribution of Scottish women-owned businesses grows by nearly twice the rate of UK
Another case in the real story of Scotland’s economy: Big business failures in Scotland fall by 25%’
Scottish business confidence well above UK average
Scottish business confidence stays high…Ah but!..Oh shut up Revoking Scotland!
63% fall in large business insolvencies as Scottish economy reveals strength
Massive Fraseresque ‘BUTLIST’ from BBC Scotland to downplay business success
See this Douglas? Business investment in Scotland up 250%!
There’s more, much more, if you search this blog for ‘business’ and have time to go back further.
Talking-up Scotland 
Good news again.
I am going off topic yet still within the bounds of the normal theme.
The long read in the Guardian 29th inst by William Davies titled,”Why we stopped trusting elites” is well worth a read, infact it should be compulsory reading for Nomedia.
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I’ll add it to their set reading in the module handbook.
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