Economic Research alert – September 2023

This paper provides an overview of research in the public domain over the last month with a focus on jobs, innovation, international and investment.

The methodology consisted of desk research.

Jobs - New research from the CIPD suggests that employers are turning to counteroffers to retain key staff as skills shortages persist. Less than half a million people in the UK (463,583) work in the gig economy, and only a fifth of these see it as their main source of income finds the CIPD Labour Market Outlook report. Innovation - People who work from home all the time ‘cut emissions by 54%’ against those in office suggests a recent US report. A survey of 500 UK SMEs by Rimm Sustainability shows that 8 in 10 SMEs are committed to sustainability. International - The Food and Drink Federation Trade Snapshot (H1 2023) shows that the value of UK exports increased by nearly 4% to reach £11.9 billion in the first half of 2023, driven by 7.6% growth to the EU. A survey from the Independent Society of Musicians (ISM) looking at the impact of Brexit finds 47.4% had less work in the EU after January 2021 than they did before Brexit; 27.8% said that they had no EU work at all. Investment - An independent economic impact assessment report, commissioned by the Enchanted Forest Community Trust, has found that the 2022 event delivered £10 million to Highland Perthshire last autumn. The Economic Value of the Screen Sector in Scotland in 2021 report finds that significant growth was found in all areas of production, particularly inward investment film and High-End TV (HETV) production.

The report makes no recommendations.