Jump in number of Scots firms

The number of businesses in Scotland has reached its highest level since records began 17 years ago.

Official figures show there were an estimated 365,600 private sector enterprises operating north of the Border in March this year.

The total has increased by more than 52 per cent since 239,970 enterprises were recorded in the year 2000.

The figures reveal the estimated number of businesses rose by 3.1 per cent (11,110) between March last year and the same point in 2017.