Economic Research alert – June 2022

This paper provides an overview of research in the public domain with a focus on the priorities from the Scottish Enterprise Business Plan (jobs, net zero, place) – there is also a section on general business surveys

The methodology consisted of desk research.

An extra 25,250 construction workers may be needed from 2022 to 2026 in Scotland to cope with demand – particularly in the industrial sector. Research suggests that businesses have become more open to part time working since the pandemic. New data from the Institute of Directors shows that, as a result of rising energy costs, half of businesses are now more likely to invest in carbon reduction measures. A new report has revealed that companies in the Scottish energy industry think that almost half (47%) of their operations will be outside of oil and gas within just eight years, by 2030. The extent to which businesses are investing in new technologies and moving towards low carbon ways of working appears to be greater in the Highlands and Islands than elsewhere in rural Scotland, however the region’s workforce challenges are more marked. New licensing system for short term lets could cost the Scottish economy as much as £133m suggests analysis from BiGGAR Economics. 79% of Scottish SMEs report that rising living costs, energy bills and inflation are a long-term concern for their business. Scotland's 146 employee-owned businesses have a combined turnover of £691m.

This paper makes no recommendations.