Output remains 5.4% below the pre-pandemic level in February 2020, and has fallen by 0.9% during the recent restrictions since October 2020.

In March there was growth in each of the production, construction and services sectors, but output remained relatively subdued in many subsectors while restrictions continued.

Overall output in the services sector grew by 1.6%, with the largest contribution coming from the education subsector for the second month in a row due to the phased return to in-school learning during February and March.

Output in the production sector increased by 3% in March, including 1.9% growth in the manufacturing subsector. Output in the construction sector is estimated to have increased by 5.7%.

Using the experimental monthly statistics for Quarter 1 as a whole (January to March), GDP is provisionally estimated to have fallen by 2.1% compared to Quarter 4, reflecting the impact of the second lockdown in place since the start of the year.

These results will be updated in the Quarterly GDP First Estimate for Quarter 1, which is a national statistics release, on 16 June.

Economy secretary Kate Forbes, said: “Businesses continue to face considerable challenges as we emerge from lockdown, but today’s figures indicate we are taking tentative steps towards recovery.

“March saw GDP increase 2.1%, with broad-based growth across all sectors, although the economy remains 5.4% below the pre-pandemic level of February 2020.

“Economic recovery is a priority of the Scottish Government and we will work closely with business to unlock the potential in our economy and create jobs.”