Douglas Fraser
Scotland business & economy editor

Image source, PA

Grim: the most common word used by those reflecting on the latest Scottish economic data.

The job numbers could be worse, with unemployment on a downward trend, most recently at 5.1%.

But the most recent figures, for autumn, are worse than summer, when they could be a lot better. Across the whole of the UK, they are.

The British economy has been a job-creating dynamo as it clambered out of the Great Recession trench.

But much less so in Scotland.

In the year leading up to the September-to-November survey, published this week, unemployment fell by 12,000. That's good.

But of those aged 16 to 64, the number of people in work fell by 49,000, and the number inactive and not making themselves available for work was up by 59,000. That's not so good at all.

Scottish Conservative MSP Annie Wells asks how the government measures economic performance.  

We begin with economy, jobs and fair work questions.

First up in the chamber is portfolio questions as economy, jobs and fair work ministers take the hot seats followed by finance and the constitution ministers.

The government lead a debate on the future of the Jobcentre Plus network in Scotland. 

Following decision time, SNP MSP Bill Kidd will lead this evening's member's debate entitled 'The Jimmy Reid Foundation Report, Trident and its Successor Programme'. 

Labour MSP Neil Bibby says former SNP minister Kenny MacAskill has said it is difficult to see a reason for the reduction in airport tax other than to give the airllines more profit.

Mr Bibby says he can see his point and asks if the witnesses have a view on where the money should come from for the reduction.

Committee convener Bruce Crawford says he does not think that is a fair question for witnesses.

Mr Bibby says it is a fair question and surely MSPs should be asking organisations where money for cuts should come from.

Mr Crawford says if the witnesses feel it is a fair question they can answer. 

Gareth Williams, Head of Policy, Scottish Chambers of Development and Industry says it is about growing our economy and we need stronger business links and this would be one way of achieving that. 

Mr Harvie asks if the ICAO are correct should we pause the policy.

Gareth Williams from the Scottish Chambers of Development and Industry says the UK government has been clear that APD is not an environmental tax.

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Mr Williams says, due to bevavioral reasons, APD has a negative impact on emissions.

Mr Harvie says the impact of the APD reduction is will be to increase emissions according to the government.

Mr Harvie asks about environmental impacts and asks if the witnesses have a view on the reduction of aviation emissions.

Gareth Williams, Head of Policy, Scottish Chambers of Development and Industry says he has commented on the economic aspects of the rates. 

Mr Williams says he would be content for more analysis on emissions.

Garry Clark, Head of Policy and Research, Scottish Chambers of Commerce says previous figures show that during a period of passenger growth emissions actually decreased. 

Mr Harvie asks if it would be wise to call a pause on a policy that may increase emissions.

Mr Clark says it is not for him to pick one analysis over the other. 

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Mr Harvie asks if any of the witnesses can say what percentage of the fiscal benefit would come to the Scottish government as opposed to the UK government, as it is the Scottish government that will take the hit on the reduction of APD.

Mr Williams says he cannot say that as he looks at the economic benefits in the whole.

The Green MSP says we should be in a position to have confident answers before taking a course of action.

Garry Clark from the Scottish Chambers of Commerce says any analysis would be helpful and Scotland still has the fourth highest level of airport taxes in Europe.

Mr Harvie asks about Mr Leckie's submission and asks about the reference to entitledto.co.uk, he asks about why these figures were used instead of figures from HMRC. 

Mr Leckie says he cannot answer that and it feels like Mr Harvie "is trying to trip him up." 

He says he will reflect on figures and provide more information to the committee. 

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Scottish Green Party co-convener Patrick Harvie says he is a little bit sorry the witnesses did not address Mr Kelly's question.

Mr Harvie says there seems to be confusion around the economic impact of a cut in APD.

He cites the variance in job figure statistics from Edinburgh Airport and STA.

Stephen Leckie from the STA says Mr Harvie is splitting hairs on the first figure and the second and third figure may have a difference might be to do with variance day visits and overnight stays.

Mr Harvie asks if the STA figures are up to date and Mr Leckie says he cannot answer the question the Green MSP is asking.

Stephen Leckie, Chair, Scottish Tourism Alliance says it is about attracting tourists not just to the main airports but also regional airports.

Mr Leckie says Scotland has to be made an affordable place to come.

Labour MSP James Kelly says he was interested in Mr Leckie's rail travel comment.

Mr Kelly asks if he thinks it is fair that the price doubles when someone turns 18 and people with a combined income of £60,000 get reductions in air fairs.

Mr Leckie says he does not work in that industry and thought he was being asked how rail travel compares to air travel.

He says Mr Kelly is asking a very leading question and not why he is here today. 

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP James Kelly says looking at the financial memorandum of the Air Departure Tax (Scotland) Bill,, external the impact of the cut could see a drop of £200m.

Garry Clark from the Scottish Chambers of Commerce says we should be pursuing tax policies that grow the economy.

Mr Clark says any decisions on tax need to be taken on this priority.

Gareth Williams from the Scottish Chambers of Development and Industry agrees.

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Garry Clark from the Scottish Chambers of Commerce says there is an issue in comparing rail and train travel.

Mr Clark says there is a potential issue over APD in terms of an impact on the competition.

He says that needs to be looked at.

Labour MSP Neil Bibby says the committee have heard rail travel between Glasgow/Edinburgh and London is more expensive than air travel.

Mr Bibby asks if rail travel should be reduced.

Stephen Leckie, Chair, Scottish Tourism Alliance says if you book rail travel in advance it is "ridiculously cheap".

Mr Bibby says he has used an example where he looked at a train in a couple of weeks time and it was more expensive than air travel.

Mr Leckie says rail travel is affordable. 

SNP MSP Maree Todd says the Highlands and Islands has pretty poor connectivity.

Garry Clark from the Scottish Chambers of Commerce says APD is not levied on those leaving the Highlands and Isalnds, but it is charged on those coming to the islands.

Gareth Williams from the Scottish Chambers of Development and Industry agrees connectivity is essential to the Highlands and Islands.

Stephen Leckie, Chair, Scottish Tourism Alliance says revenue growth is a big challenge.

Mr Leckie says the "massive uplift in costs" may mean some businesses in the tourism industry will have to close.