Natural assets add £40bn to Scottish economy

Hello and welcome to our daily digest of business, financial and economic news from around Scotland.

1. Scotland’s natural assets are worth more than £40 billion to the economy, according to a government report.

Researchers looked at industries that rely on nature such as agriculture, aquaculture, fishing, forestry, renewable electricity, drinks and water.

The study found they contributed £40.1 billion of annual economic output, equivalent to 14.4 per cent of the Scottish total, and supported 261,600 jobs.

Oil and gas were excluded from the data as the report only looked at renewable resources including soil, air, water, plants and animals.

Mairi Gougeon, rural affairs secretary, said: “This research reinforces the vital role of our natural capital in supporting many of our vital industries, a