Scotland’s economy shrinks by 0.4% as SNP blames Westminster for decline

Published on 17/10/2012 11:19

SCOTLAND’S GDP fell by 0.4 per cent during the second quarter of 2012 as the country’s economic output continued to decline.

• GDP falls by 0.4% in second quarter of 2012

• Deputy FM blames Westminster for decline

• The latest GDP figures in full

The largest contribution to the fall in GDP was from the electricity and gas sector, which fell by 15.1 per cent from a particularly high 2012 first quarter. The manufacturing sector contracted by 2.2 per cent over the same period.

There was growth of 0.2 per cent in the services sector, production sector output fell by 3.8 per cent and the construction sector grew by 2.0 per cent.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Today’s figures show once again that Scotland is suffering under the UK Government’s do-nothing economic policy.

“Even without the full economic powers of an independent nation and in the face of Westminster’s cuts, this Government is doing everything it can to stimulate Scotland’s economy and protect families, businesses and front line services.

“In contrast to the UK Government, we have set out in Scotland’s draft budget further investment in construction, skills and the green economy.”