The Scottish Government routinely analyses the data on economic inactivity that is produced by the Office for National Statistics. Increasing economic participation can have economic and fiscal benefits, and a Scottish Government analysis that was published last October indicated that even a relatively small increase of 0.25 percentage points in the economic activity rate could boost gross domestic product in the long term by around 0.1 per cent—£180 million—each year.

That is why we are taking action across Government to support people to enter, remain in and progress in work through devolved employability services, health and work support and various commitments in the programme for government.