From Insider: ‘The latest ICAEW Business Confidence Monitor’s Scots score is one of the highest in the UK and is second only to that of the West Midlands. Business confidence in Scotland remains firmly positive in the third quarter of 2018, according to new research. The latest ICAEW Business Confidence Monitor shows a score of plus 9.9 which is one of the highest in the UK and is second only to that of the West Midlands.’
https://thoughtcontrolscotland.com/2018/09/14/scottish-business-confidence-well-above-uk-average/

‘A bumper crop of more than 100 new apprentices are swelling the ranks of the North Sea oil and gas workforce. They are part of the biggest intake an industry-wide scheme has seen since oil prices crashed in late 2014. Their recruitment and the number of young people involved have been hailed as a major boost for the sector as it continues to recover from the most severe and prolonged downturn in its history.'
https://thoughtcontrolscotland.com/2018/09/03/number-of-north-sea-apprenticeships-doubles-and-reaches-highest-level-since-2014/

In the Independent today: ‘Business optimism has hit its lowest level since May 2017, when Theresa May announced a snap general election, according to new research. The decline comes as key questions on the UK’s trading relationship with the EU after Brexit remain unanswered and the government ramps up preparations for no deal. ​BDO’s Optimism Index, which shows how businesses expect output to develop in the next three to six months, declined by 0.43 points in August to stand at 101.93.’ https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/business-confidence-falls-brexit-trade-no-deal-scenario-bdo-survey-a8529786.html .

Meanwhile, only ten days ago, in the Scottish part of the UK, not run by the Tories, Labour or the DUP: ‘Business confidence among firms in Scotland has remained steady for a second month in a row, a survey suggests. Economic optimism stood at 9% in August, an increase of seven points on the previous month, according to the Bank of Scotland’s Business Barometer.’
https://thoughtcontrolscotland.com/2018/09/10/snp-accused-of-standing-back-as-business-confidence-slumps-to-15-month-low-in-non-scottish-parts-of-the-uk/

From Insider today: Business confidence among firms in Scotland has remained steady for a second month in a row, a survey suggests. Economic optimism stood at 9% in August, an increase of seven points on the previous month, according to the Bank of Scotland’s Business Barometer.

Bank of Scotland’s regional director also said: ‘To see overall confidence holding firm demonstrates the continued resilience of Scottish businesses during uncertain times.’
https://thoughtcontrolscotland.com/2018/08/31/scottish-business-confidence-stays-highah-but-oh-shut-up-revoking-scotland/