Fraser Sime, regional director at Bank of Scotland
THERE was a “tentative upturn” in Scottish private sector growth last month, according to a new study.
The sector made a positive start to the second quarter, seeing growth pick up slightly from the “relative stagnation” experienced in the preceding Bank of Scotland Regional Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) survey.
The slight upturn was driven by the manufacturing sector, which offset shrinking services output, the study found, meanwhile, job creation in April was at its strongest in eight months, although business confidence was at its lowest in six months.
Fraser Sime, regional director at Bank of Scotland commercial banking, said: “There was good news all round, from steep production growth to solid job creation.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here