Economic Research alert - March 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 covid and Brexit.

The methodology consisted of desk research.

Some highlights include - Jobs: businesses continue to struggle to attract and retain staff. A record number of start-ups are being founded by women – outstripping male led companies for this first time since 2018. Net Zero: the Understanding Scotland survey finds there is a clear consensus among the Scottish population that climate change constitutes a global emergency, with 4 in 5 people saying so, and only 12% disagreeing. Recent analysis suggests only about 6% of G20 pandemic recovery spending has been “green”. Place: Edinburgh saw the highest level of investment in hotels of any city outside of London last year with 11 deals worth around £260m during 2021. The Annual Investment Tracker from AGCC forecast investments worth more than £12bn will flow into the north-east of Scotland in the coming decade. Covid/Brexit: the pandemic accelerated digital transformation in Scotland by 3.3 years, according to new research. If this change continues at its current pace, it could add £76 billion to UK GDP by 2025. “No more 9-5 say workers, the future of work is hybrid” suggests research.

This paper makes no recommendations.