Scotland’s economy is back to pre-recession levels, according to the latest instalment of a respected survey of business confidence and performance.
The Bank of Scotland’s monthly Business Monitor report found turnover trends were showing their best results in almost seven years, and expectations for the remainder of 2014 were at levels last seen in 2007.
It said the three months to May saw 46% of firms up their sales, with less than one-in-five experiencing a decrease in fortunes.
The result was a “robust rise” on the previous period and a “substantial improvement” on the negative outlook seen the same time a year ago, the bank said.
Chief economist Donald MacRae said a surge in economic activity first spotted last summer had been maintained over the last 12 months.
“Expectations are at their highest level since mid-2007, suggesting the recovery will continue throughout 2014,” he said.
The monitor found the production and services sectors showed a similar pattern of improvement, with new business also on the rise and repeat business climbing.
It also welcomed news of a recovery in export activity, though the measure rose by only 2% on both the previous quarter and the same period in 2013.
Expectations for the coming six months are also healthy.