Construction sector helps boost Scottish economic growth

MANUFACTURING and construction sectors have ensured Scotland’s economy has grown for the ninth consecutive quarter, according to official Scottish Government statistics.

Latest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures show that the Scottish economy grew by 0.5% in the first quarter of 2019 – with manufacturing and construction sectors ensuring the rise, with their 2.6% and 2% growth respectively.

Derek Mackay, economy secretary, said, “With nine consecutive quarters of growth and a record high employment rate of 75.9%, Scotland’s economy continues to go from strength to strength.

“Growing the economy is a priority for the Scottish Government and we can see from these results it is working. We have provided more than £5 billion of capital investment to build and modernise Scotland’s infrastructure, and a wider package of support to businesses including maintaining a competitive business rates package and providing the most generous package of non-domestic rates reliefs anywhere in the UK.”