Outlook and appraisal [June 1998]

The latest data on output growth in Scotland's production and construction industries are interesting to read. In the fourth quarter of 1997, output in production and construction (less oil and gas) grew by 0.8% compared with a 0.4% fall in the UK. The production industries expanded by 1.1% in Scotland but contracted by 0.9% in the UK, while manufacturing output rose by 1.7% compared to a fall of 0.5% in the UK. At this aggregated level, only the construction sector performed less well in Scotland, contracting by 0.3% while the sector expanded by 1.4% in the UK