From the Guardian today: ‘British manufacturing output slips to ninth globally behind France. Data shows sector starved of investment and losing ground as Brexit uncertainty persists. Britain’s manufacturing industry has fallen to ninth in the world behind France, reversing a recovery in its performance since the financial crash. The UK’s total manufacturing output stayed ahead of Brazil and Indonesia but slipped below France and remained well adrift of Germany in fourth position and Italy in seventh at the end of 2016.’

Meanwhile in Scotland: ‘Manufactured Exports make up around half of the total value of exports from Scotland to the rest of the world (excluding oil and gas). The Index of Manufactured Exports (IME) increased by 3.6% in volume terms during the first quarter of 2018. On a rolling annual basis, comparing the most recent four quarters to the previous four quarters, the volume of manufactured exports increased by 8.7%.’
https://thoughtcontrolscotland.com/2018/08/20/scottish-manufacturing-excluding-oil-and-gas-grows-by-8-7-as-it-falls-dramatically-elsewhere-in-uk/

"A MAJORITY of the British public do not trust banks to work in the UK’s interests, believe that banks should have faced greater penalties for their role in the 2008 financial crisis, and worry that the banking sector may cause further economic disaster, new polling has revealed." Only 66%??
https://www.commonspace.scot/articles/13155/quasi-organised-crime-rbs-declared-uk-s-worst-bank-66-britons-distrust-banking-sector

From Insider: ‘FSB study reveals most small firms shunning zero hours contracts. Federation of Small Businesses says its research also reveals almost 66% of SMEs were paying staff at least £7.83 an hour before this became new national living wage rateBottom of Form. Most small firms are not using zero-hours contracts and were paying the adult living wage before it was increased earlier this year, a study shows. A survey of over 550 small businesses found that more than four out of five did not hire workers on non-guaranteed hours contracts.’
https://thoughtcontrolscotland.com/2018/08/20/are-scotlands-employers-also-different-more-willing-to-pay-a-decent-wage/

With GERS due out next week it’s worth noting two things, firstly that Scottish voters were told in the 2014 independence referendum that Scotland’s economy was dependent on high oil prices. Secondly that non-North Sea Government revenue increased a record 6.1% on 2015/16   This proves beyond all doubt that Scotland’s onshore economy is robust and able to withstand oil price volatility and so busts the myth that Scotland’s economy is in any way dependant on oil.
http://www.businessforscotland.com/scottish-economic-growth-outpacing-the-uk/