SCOTTISH ANNUAL BUSINESS STATISTICS 2008 
Scottish Annual Business Statistics ( SABS) 2008 provides financial data for businesses in Scotland. The statistics are available at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Business/SABS
SABS includes detailed data on employees, turnover, gross value added, labour costs and other financial data. Data are shown by industry sector, local authority area and company ownership.
These figures cover approximately two thirds of the economy. The main sectors not covered are agriculture, the financial sector and some of the public sector. These statistics are therefore best suited to the analyses of individual industries rather than the economy as a whole.
The main points are as follows:
In 2008, Gross Value Added (GVA) in the services sector amounted to £43 billion (bn), compared to £14 bn in manufacturing and £7 bn in construction sectors.
In 2008, the largest contribution to GVA within manufacturing came from the food & drink industry ( £3.4 bn). Within services, the largest contribution ( £11 bn) was made by 'other business activities', a sector which includes legal activities, architectural & engineering activities, labour recruitment and advertising.
In 2008, GVA per employee in manufacturing (£66,900) was twice as high as that in the services sector (£33,300). Whilst labour costs per employee in manufacturing (£32,000) were around 50% higher than in services (£21,500). In part these differences reflect the higher level of part time working in the services sector.
In 2008, within manufacturing, foreign-owned companies account for 36 per cent of GVA and 29 per cent of employees. Within services, foreign-owned companies account for 22 per cent of GVA and 14 per cent of employees.
In 2008, the local authority areas contributing most to manufacturing GVA were Falkirk (11%), Glasgow City (9%) and Fife (8%). Within the services sector, the highest contributing local authority areas to GVA were Glasgow City (18%), Edinburgh City and Aberdeen City (both 14%).
Background Notes
The Scottish Annual Business Statistics are based on the Annual Business Inquiry (
ABI) conducted by the Office for National Statistics ( ONS). Summary data for all regions and countries within the UK, were published by ONS on 29 July 2010 and are available at:
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/abi/The figures published today cover the period 1998 to 2008, and include new figures for 2008 and revised figures for 2007. However, ONS improved the sample design for the 2008 survey which means that the latest results for 2008 are not strictly comparable with historical trends. Although this temporary loss of comparability over time is a downside - it means that the results for 2008 are more accurate, and comparisons can still be made between sectors and across the UK.
Notwithstanding, the change in sampling, the high oil prices experienced in 2008 have had a significant impact on the latest
ABI results for Scotland. The Turnover/ GVA of the broad category known as "Remaining Sectors" (those out-with manufacturing, construction and services) is highly influenced by the oil and gas industry. Note that the
ABI results for Scotland include offshore oil and gas - whereas offshore activity is excluded from Scottish National Accounts (e.g. GDP Index).
We strongly advise against quoting overall/headline/"total" growth rates associated with the
ABI given that significant sectors of the economy are not included and the results have not been balanced with other datasets. These statistics are therefore best suited to analyses of individual industries rather than the economy as a whole.
Issued by
Office of the Chief Economic Adviser
5 Atlantic Quay
150 Broomielaw
Glasgow
G2 8LU
Telephone
Communications Officer: Stewart Cooper 0131-244-2175
Statistician: Marina Curran 0300-244-6813
E-mail industrystatistics@scotland.gsi.gov.uk