Economic Research alert – May 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.

Some highlights include: Jobs - The World Travel & Tourism Council suggests the Travel & Tourism sector in the UK is expected to create nearly 700,000 new jobs over the next decade, new research suggests if the North East of Scotland region attracts £17 billion of renewables investment and activities over the next eight years it will be established as a global energy hub, securing thousands of new jobs. Net Zero - Climate change has caused a rapid warming of Scottish lochs and reservoirs, according to research - 97% had seen an increase in temperature between 2015 and 2019, A new report finds that too many new coal fired plants are planned around the world. Place - Figures from the Glasgow Convention Bureau showed the city secured £53 million in new conference business, Dunfermline has been named as one of the towns to be made a city for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Other business surveys - A growing number of UK businesses are at risk of going under due to increased energy, transport and raw material costs, 24% of Scottish small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have seen the number of late payments they receive increase since the cost of living has gone up.

This paper makes no recommendations.