Robust pace in Scottish economic activity reported

Growth in Scotland is still below the UK-wide average

Private sector output in Scotland is continuing to expand at a robust pace, the Bank of Scotland has reported.

Research published by the bank indicated higher activity in both manufacturing and services.

The bank's figures have suggested that the private sector has been growing strongly for seven consecutive months.

But the growth in jobs was described by the bank as "lacklustre" and new businesses were reported to have been growing only "marginally".

The seasonally-adjusted Bank of Scotland PMI, an index of activity reported by key business figures, was 53.5 in July - up from 53.3 in June.

Overall growth in Scotland was reported to be down still on the UK-wide average.

Donald MacRae, the chief economist at the Bank of Scotland, said: "Higher activity was prevalent across both manufacturing and services sectors and for the first time in three months activity in all three service subsectors also increased.

"New export orders increased for the ninth consecutive month, particularly due to new orders from Asia.

"The results of this month's PMI suggest a modest and muted recovery in the Scottish economy."