Dissemination
For many years, official economic statistics for Scotland have been made available primarily through the publication twice a year of the Scottish Economic Bulletin (SEB), which contains articles commenting on the Scottish economy, analytical and technical papers and a range of statistics on the Scottish economy. In addition, a series of Statistical Bulletins on specific subject areas has been published.
Following a review of dissemination procedures for official Scottish economic statistics, it has been decided that there is significant scope to improve the accessibility, availability and presentation of the wide range of economic information produced by the Scottish Executive. The new Scottish Parliament and the White Paper on National Statistics mean that this is an opportune time to reorganise the official publication and dissemination of economics and statistical material relating to the Scottish economy.
Certain changes are therefore being implemented. The SEB is effectively being split into 3 separate publications/series. Thus, the full set of economics and economic statistics publications will be:
Liaison and consultation
It is clear from the above that liaison with the ONS and other government departments is essential and represents a significant commitment for the Scottish Executive. This liaison is consistent with the Statistics Concordat, which outlines how government departments will work together in the post-devolution environment. Scottish Executive statisticians will be involved in:
Outside government, the Scottish Executive is also undertaking a major programme of liaison and consultation with the external economic community on the coverage of Scottish economic data series and the best means of disseminating the available information. A new development in 2000 will be the establishment of an economics consultation group, through which comments and advice on the SESP and on its implementation and development will be invited from data users.
European System of National Accounts (ESA95)
Major changes have occurred to National Accounts statistics in the last year, with the implementation of the European System of Accounts (ESA95). This new system reflects the changing role of government, the increased importance and sophistication of service industries and the increased diversity of financial instruments. It also recognises a wider scope for capital formation, with new concepts such as intangible assets, valuables and work in progress on services. The UK is required by the EU to reflect these changes to an agreed series of deadlines.
ESA95 has required a great deal of work by government statisticians to implement the new basis and to calculate back series. The UK was the first country in the EU to produce full national accounts including back series on the new basis.
In Scotland, the Agricultural accounts, GDP and the Index of Production already incorporate the ESA95 changes. However, some of the other economic statistics must still be transferred to this new system of accounting, most notably the Scottish input-output tables. As has been the experience at the UK level, this will involve a significant work programme for the Scottish Executive over the next year.
Conclusion
The Scottish Executive produces a wide range of economic information about Scotland and is planning a significant range of developments to existing and new indicators over the coming years. The presentation and application of these data are of major importance as it is essential to ensure that the maximum value and use can be derived from the resources which are dedicated to the production of economic statistics within the Scottish Executive. Consultation and liaison have become more important as a result of devolution and will therefore continue to be a significant commitment in the future.
Where gaps in the provision of economic statistics on Scotland are identified through internal and external consultation and liaison, a rational and systematic approach will be used to identify priorities, make the best use of the resources available, advise on additional resource implications and minimise the compliance costs for households, businesses and others.