(c) Insider
From Insider yesterday:
‘Plans for hiring staff in Scotland are at a year-long high, according to a new report. The Bank of Scotland’s Business Barometer for June shows a 17% rise in overall business confidence across Scotland in the past month to 17%. Hiring intentions north of the border have reached their highest level since May 2018 as a net balance of a fifth of businesses (20%) plan to create new jobs in the next year – up 23% on last month. Economic optimism has risen 19 points to 2% in the past month, while firms’ confidence in their own business prospects was 32%, up from 17% in May. Brexit fears for businesses have dropped in Scotland, the barometer found, but a net balance of around a third of firms still believe the UK’s exit from the EU is having a negative impact on their expectations for business activity. This has dropped 18% from last month. The monthly survey of 1,200 businesses found business confidence in Scotland is four percentage points higher than that across the UK as a whole.’
https://www.insider.co.uk/news/business-confidence-boost-hiring-hits-17266823
Earlier reports of strength in Scottish economy, pre-independence:
Scottish business confidence up ‘despite Brexit’ or because of SNP/Indy surge?
Scottish Government support for small businesses superior to that in non-Scottish parts of UK
Almost two thirds* of Scottish manufacturers believe business will grow despite global turmoil
Highlights of positive business reaction to Scottish Budget
Business confidence in Scotland up 4% after Scottish Government rate changes
Economic contribution of Scottish women-owned businesses grows by nearly twice the rate of UK
Talking-up Scotland 