Scottish productivity at its lowest since 2009

Productivity in Scotland has dropped to its lowest level in more than eight years, new figures have revealed.

Official labour statistics for the quarter lasting Julyseptember 2017 showed trend-based productivity fell to a level last seen in the fourth quarter of 2009. On an annual basis, productivity, measured as output per hour worked, declined 3.2 per cent in the year to endseptember 2017.

The Scottish Government acknowledged there had been a dip over the past year, but said annual productivity levels had increased in Scotland by 5.4 per cent since 2007.

Opposition parties described the productivity levels as “grim”. A Scottish Tory spokesman said: “Productivity under the SNP has now declined to its lowest level in Scotland for eight years.”