In the quarterly Deloitte-sponsored Economic Commentary, which includes an assessment of all the latest key data on the UK and Scottish economies, the Strathclyde researchers have set out their new forecasts.

The economists are forecasting growth of 0.6% in 2024, 1.1% in 2025 and 1.2% in 2026. Whilst these forecasts are slightly weaker than previous forecasts, it still points to improving conditions in the economy over the course of this year.

The current data for 2023 is not yet complete, with Scottish GDP data available up to November 2023. The Institute expects that growth for the year as a whole is likely to end up at 0.2% – that is, there has been very little growth in the economy over 2023.

The wider assessment of business and consumer sentiment shows steady improvement as we move into 2024. While still weaker than pre-pandemic levels in general, this improvement is consistent with the cautious optimism displayed in these forecasts today.

Analysis in the commentary this quarter includes a detailed look at the recovery from the shock of the pandemic of different sectors in the Scottish economy, highlighting a number of differentials between the performance of sectors in Scotland compared to the UK as a whole.

Professor Mairi Spowage, director of the Fraser of Allander Institute, said: “Growth in 2023 has been hard to find, and we expect that the year as a whole will show very little growth. This is disappointing – although we should remember that we were expecting a year ago that we would fall into recession in 2023, which thankfully did not happen.

“Signs are more optimistic for 2024. As well as businesses and consumers indicating that they feel more positive, the Bank of England has also signalled that interest rates are likely to have peaked – raising the prospect of rate cuts over the course of the year.”

Angela Mitchell, senior partner for Scotland at Deloitte, said: “This quarter’s Economic Commentary paints a mixed picture of Scotland’s current economic position – although growth in 2023 was weak and near-term challenges remain, there are distinct reasons for cautious optimism.

“Deloitte’s latest Chief Financial Officers Survey found that the UK’s finance chiefs are starting the year in relatively positive spirits, with sentiment among them rising for a second consecutive quarter and running at well above average levels. Despite this, they remain focused on defensive strategies.

“Overall, a bolstered sense of confidence among both businesses and consumers has signalled a positive start to the year, and an anticipated fall in inflation and return to growth are very much within sight.”

In this quarter’s commentary, the Institute also analyses the decisions that the Scottish Government took as it presented its Budget for the forthcoming financial year.

João Sousa, deputy director of the Fraser of Allander Institute, said: “The headline grabbing measure from the Scottish Budget were definitely the introduction of a new income tax band for those on incomes between £75,000 and 125,000. However, this raises around £74 million – not insignificant, but small in the context of the Scottish Budget.

“Much more significant were the ‘non-decisions’. For example, the decision not to raise the higher rate threshold by inflation raises £300m for the Scottish Government.”

Ms Mitchell added: “December’s Scottish Budget saw the introduction of the advanced rate, and increase in the top rate of income tax, measures which are intended to raise tax revenue.

“However, it is difficult to predict individual taxpayer behaviour in response to these higher rates of personal tax: if individuals were to limit their taxable income by making additional pension contributions, that could ultimately reduce the benefit to the Budget.

“Some may seek to limit their working time if they perceive that their after-tax, take-home pay from an additional hour of work is insufficient. This could be translated into not working overtime, or adopting a reduced-hours working week, which could have a profound effect in reducing productivity and growth in the wider Scottish economy.”