Business - Special Report

The Government has made sustainable economic growth its core purpose, with the aim of creating a more successful country and providing opportunities for all. Its recently published Economic Strategy articulates a vision of growth shared equitably across Scotland: “By turning round decades of economic underperformance we will help to make Scotland's businesses and people wealthier – and finally tackle the deprivation and inequality that scars our country,” said Cabinet Secretary John Swinney.

This special report will examine the Government’s strategy and highlight some of the priority industries regarded as having the greatest potential for growth – such as life sciences, the creative industries, food & drink and energy. It will look at the work of the Council of Economic Advisers and the National Economic Forum, prospects for the realigned enterprise network, Scotland’s business profile abroad, efforts to encourage entrepreneurialism and some of the challenges business in Scotland faces, such as procurement and climate change.

As well as macro views, the report will also feature business case studies illustrating enterprise and innovation. And ahead of the Budget, it will review the UK’s economic performance under its new prime minister and chancellor and look at expectations for 2008.