Review of Scottish business surveys [November 2015]

Business surveys provide a useful barometer of the investment and business intentions across the Scottish economy. The business surveys reviewed in this section provide an overview of key recent evidence in the Scottish economy. Up until recently, many surveys have been bullish but 2015 Q3 surveys suggest that the recovery has perhaps plateaued rather than beginning to slow. Since the start of 2015, businesses in Scotland have maintained positive confidence and output levels although the rates of increase have slowed. Nevertheless, key benchmarks are stronger than their long-term averages with many remaining at or above their pre-recession levels. Respondents, on balance, also continued to be positive about the prospects for the remainder of 2015.