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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 2007 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:
- Income distribution in Scotland: this article explains how the Gini Coefficient is calculated and how it is used to define inequality using equivalised disposable income.
- Innovation in Knowledge-Intensive services: this article discusses innovation inputs & outputs across a range of industries & business enterprises and explores the constraints faced by businesses in their innovation activities.
- Exports to the rest of the UK: this article discusses Scottish trade with the rest of the UK and invites comment on recent estimates.
Part B - Tables and Commentary. This section is organised into six chapters, each with a short introductory text followed by tables. Sub-Scotland tables and charts have been indexed within the contents page to 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, services, motor trade, agriculture 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
This publication of Scottish Economic Statistics 2007, almost 5 months earlier than usual, identifies a shift in the publication schedule in order to produce a more timely and up to date compendium release. Scottish Economic Statistics 2008 will be published in the summer of 2008. As Scottish Economic Statistics can not 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
Consultation and Advice
The Scottish Economic Statistics Consultative 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, an Input-Output Expert Users Group ( IOEUG) has been established to discuss issues specific to the development of Input-Output tables. This group has met three times and minutes and papers are available online 2.
Recent developments
In the course of 2006/2007, there were several important developments in enhancing Scottish economic statistics in Scotland, including:
- Improving the quality of the quarterly GDP estimates - chain-linking to 2003 weights, reviewing the seasonal adjustment methodologies and investigating measures of government output, in line with Atkinson review recommendations;
- Commissioning a feasibility study into the future production of a quarterly expenditure measure of GDP;
- Improved trade flow information by continuous improvements to the Global Connections Survey and by harmonising exports data from various sources;
- Bringing forward the timetable for Scottish Corporate Sector Statistics, moving to an analysis more consistent with the UK publication;
- In house development and implementation of a new system to produce the annual Supply and Use tables and Input-Output analytical tables;
Priority developments for 2007/08
There is a wide range of areas in which enhancements are being made, but the on-going priorities that have been identified for the coming year are:
- Further improvements to the quality of the quarterly GDP estimates - chain-linking to 2004 weights, and implementing new measures of government output, in line with Atkinson review recommendations;
- Reviewing and improving the Global Connections Survey system used to produce export estimates;
- Development of a multi-year manual balancing system to work along side the new system to allow the production of a consistent time series of Input-Output tables;
- The on-going review of technical & methodological aspects of GERS3 publication, including areas identified by Finance Committee (January 2007), together with a review of publication content;
- Seasonally adjusting public sector employment data;
- Liaising with ONS to establish a pilot site in Scotland for remote access to the ONS Virtual Microdata Lab, allowing Scottish civil servants and academics access to microdata, leading to an expansion of economic research and policy evidence for Scotland.
Further priorities may be identified in due course.
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 across the Scottish Executive, 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"
July 2007
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