« Previous | Contents | Next »
Listen
Preface
Scottish Economic Statistics
The Executive, many Parliamentarians and commentators have continued to stress the importance of robust economic statistics in monitoring economic progress and in underpinning economic policy decisions and development. Scottish Economic Statistics seeks to maximise the accessibility of statistical information on the Scottish economy 1, its key objectives being to present the primary economic data for Scotland, and to share some of the thinking that surrounds the preparation of these data. Its sister publication, the bi-annual Scottish Economic Report, presents a wider review of the progress and prospects for the Scottish Economy, together with analysis of the broader context in which the Scottish economy is set.
As with previous editions, Scottish Economic Statistics 2006 is split into two parts:
Part A - Articles. This section provides a variety of articles on developments in statistics on the Scottish economy. In summary, this year's articles are:
- Recent developments in Scottish Input-Output tables . This article provides background on input-output analysis and details both the work that has been undertaken so far and the developments being planned for the future.
- Public Sector Employment in Scotland . This article examines the trends in the Public Sector Employment series and supplements this with further analysis from other sources.
- Seasonal adjustment developments within Scottish GDP . This article outlines the recent improvement in the treatment of seasonal data used within the quarterly Gross Domestic Product series.
Part B - Tables and Commentary. This section is organised into six chapters, each with a short introductory text followed by tables. While sub-Scotland data have been kept within the topic chapters to which they relate, a new index of sub-Scotland tables should enable readers to find these more easily.
- Economic Accounts: summary macro-economic indicators;
- Enterprises: businesses in Scotland, Regional Selective Assistance, knowledge economy;
- Industry Sectors: primary industries, manufacturing, energy, chemicals, services and tourism;
- Labour Market: information on demographics, employment, earnings, unemployment, training;
- Household Sector: income and expenditure of Scottish households;
- Public Sector: income and expenditure, public sector employment.
Changes to this edition
As part of a rolling programme, and in recognition of the fact that Scottish Economic Statistics can't be expanded indefinitely, the content of this edition varies to a small degree from earlier editions. Where tables are no longer included, it is likely that the information is still available, either from the Scottish Executive website via www.scotland.gov.uk/statistics or on request.
The Development of Economic Statistics in Scotland
The Scottish Economic Statistics Plan for 2006/07 can be accessed on the Scottish Executive's website using the following link: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/StatisticsPlan0607
The Scottish Economic Statistics Consultants' Group ( SESCG) - established in 2001 to advise on the priorities for, and approach to, the development of economic statistics - has continued to meet on a six monthly basis. This group also serves as the economics committee within the wider SCOTSTAT framework. The Group meets to advise on both the technical questions involved in enhancing our statistical knowledge and on where our efforts might be most appropriately directed.
In addition to these bi-annual meetings, the Input-Output Expert Users' Group ( IOEUG) has recently been established to discuss issues specific to the development of Input-Output tables. The Scottish Executive's recent involvement in the Statistics Commission seminar entitled "Do we have the data we need to understand the economy in Scotland?" also provided an opportunity to discuss the considerable progress made within government economic statistics with external users and to hear the views of those external users in attendance.
We also need to consider the impact of extending the standards and scrutiny aspect of the Statistics and Registration Services Bill to Scotland and the affect of the forthcoming shift of the Office for National Statistics towards independence.
Recent developments
In the course of 2005/2006, there were several important developments in enhancing Scottish economic statistics in Scotland, including:
- Identifying a program of work to improve the quality of our measurement of government activity in Scotland, following on from the Atkinson review;
- Completing redesign of the system to produce Input-Output balances;
- Chain-linking the quarterly Scottish GDP;
- Improving trade flow information by further harmonising the Input-Output system, GDP, Index of Manufactured Exports and the Global Connections Survey;
- Providing a more detailed analysis from the boosted Labour Force Survey, including data for urban/rural areas and a deprivation split;
- Publishing a more timely and integrated set of quarterly public sector workforce figures.
Priority developments for 2006/07
There is a wide range of areas in which enhancements are being made, but the priorities that have been identified for the coming year are:
- Continue to improve the quality of the quarterly GDP estimates - chain-linking to 2003 weights, reviewing the seasonal adjustment methodologies and improving measures of government output, in line with Atkinson review recommendations;
- Commission a feasibility study into the future production of a quarterly expenditure measure of GDP;
- Improve trade flow information by continuous improvements to the Global Connections Survey and by harmonising exports data from various sources;
- Introduce the new system, developed in-house, to produce the annual Input-Output balances;
- Bring forward the timetable for Scottish Corporate Sector Statistics, moving to an analysis more consistent with the UK publication;
- Investigate the possibility of seasonally adjusting public sector employment data.
Acknowledgements
Finally, I would acknowledge the major contribution made to the preparation and compilation of this report by Carol Ann Munn in the Office of the Chief Economic Adviser. In addition to those named authors in Part A of this edition, I would also acknowledge the contribution of the statistical staff in the Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning Department, the Environment and Rural Affairs Department, and Finance and Central Services Department, together with the continuing contributions and advice from officials in other UK Government Departments, including, most notably, the Office for National Statistics, the Department for Education and Employment, and the Department for Work and Pensions.
Dr Andrew W Goudie
Chief Economic Adviser
November 2006
« Previous | Contents | Next »