The Scottish economy contracted last month as a result of a downturn in the oil and gas industry, according to a new report.
The latest Bank of Scotland monthly purchasing managers index (PMI) found that business activity in the private sector dropped in November after modest growth the month before.
The bank’s headline figure for private-sector activity, which measures month-by-month changes in output in both manufacturing and services, fell to 49.8 from 50.9 in October.
The decline stemmed from the manufacturing sector, where the rate of contraction was the sharpest in just over three years, but service providers reported a slight rise in business activity.
The survey also indicated a fall in incoming new orders linked to a slowdown in the oil and gas industry.
Despite this, the number of people employed in Scotland’s private sector grew, although the rate of job creation was said to be “weak”.
Alasdair Gardner, Bank of Scotland regional managing director for Scotland, said: “The headline index fell below the crucial 50 mark in November as a slowdown in the oil and gas industry veered the Scottish economy into contraction.
“The drop in activity stemmed from declining new orders, which was affected by unfavourable exchange rates.
“However, this did not discourage firms from further adding to staffing numbers.”
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