Scotland can more than afford independence, Finance Secretary will tell SNP
Scotland’s Finance Secretary will insist the county can “more than afford” to be independent.
Economy
John McDonnell vows Labour manifesto will be written ‘from grassroots up’
Labour’s general election manifesto will be written “from the grassroots up”, John McDonnell said as he kicked off a UK-wide pre-poll campaign tour in Essex.
Brexit blamed as business confidence ‘evaporates’ among small firms
Scottish small business confidence has evaporated, an industry representative warned as research recorded a double figure drop.
More than five shops closed down per week in Scotland in the first half of 2019
More than five shops closed per week in Scotland in the first six months of the year, new figures show.
Scots spent £1bn on takeaways last year, research shows
Scottish spending on takeaways increased by 9% last year to cross the £1 billion mark, according to new figures.
Donald Trump calls on Federal Reserve to cut interest rates
Donald Trump has called on the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates by at least a full percentage point “over a fairly short period of time”, saying it would make the US economy even better and would “greatly and quickly” enhance the global economy.
Gordon Brown predicts ‘very different’ response to future economic crash
Gordon Brown has suggested that the Government’s response to another potential economic downturn would be “very different” from his actions during the 2008 financial crash.
Scottish business confidence falls amid political uncertainty
Political and economic uncertainty has been cited as a key reason as to why business confidence in Scotland fell by 17 points to 0% last month, according to new analysis.
Immigrant-led firms contribute more than £13bn to Scots economy, study suggests
Businesses run by people who were born outwith Scotland contribute more than £13 billion to the economy of the country, according to analysis.
Heavy snow followed by heatwaves cost Scotland’s farmers up to £161m
Scotland's farmers lost up to £161 million last year due to the extreme weather, according to a report.
‘Hundreds of shops’ closing in Scotland’s high streets each year
Shops on Scotland's high streets are closing at a rate of more than five a week, according to new analysis.