SCOTTISH economic growth picked up last year as oil revenues moved back into the black.
The latest quarterly accounts for the last quarter of 2017 showed GDP grew by 3.4 per cent in cash terms over the calendar year, the fastest rate of growth since 2013.
The comparable cash terms figure for the whole of the UK was 3.8 per cent.
After Scotland’s share of oil and gas revenues was minus £130m in 2016 - as a result of tax breaks to the industry - it bounced back to just over £1bn in 2017.
However this was still far below the annual £7bn average from 2005 to 2012.
SNP Economy Secretary Keith Brown said the GDP figure was "hugely encouraging"
He said: "These results chime with recent consumer and business confidence indicators.
"However, it cannot be stressed enough that Brexit remains the single biggest threat to our economy, particularly a hard Brexit that could cost Scotland £12.7bn a year by 2030. "
Economist John McLaren of Scottish Trends said: “The Scottish National Accounts data for 2017 shows that GDP growth has been boosted by a slight recovery in the North Sea contribution, such that overall growth is the fastest seen since 2013.
“However, for the fourth year in a row, growth in Scottish GDP per capita, trails that of the UK. Going back to 2009, the historically low UK annual growth figure of 3 per cent has still been double the 1.5 per cent seen in Scotland.”
Scottish onshore GDP is estimated at £15bn, or £28,046 per person, in current prices.
However this rises to £165bn, or £30,482 a head, when a geographical share of UK offshore and overseas economic activity is included.
Disposable household income rose as estimated 1.7 per cent over the year in current prices.
The Scottish Tories highlighted the disposable household income rise was below inflation.
Finance spokesman Murdo Fraser said: "These statistics simply highlight the SNP's total disregard for the financial pressures of working families.
"Despite sluggish economic growth and repeated warnings from businesses across Scotland, the SNP still raised taxes on hard working Scottish families."
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