To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in growing the economy over the last 12 months.

Growing the economy is our top priority and over the last 12 months, the Scottish economy has continued to perform robustly.

The most recent data show annual GDP growth of 2.3%;

The economy has grown above its long-run average rate in each of the past nine consecutive quarters, and

Independent forecasters expect above trend growth for Scotland in 2007.

The strength of the economy can also be seen in the exceptional performance of our labour market:

Over 220,000 Scots have entered employment since the creation of the Scottish Parliament. Our employment rate is at its highest since records began, above the UK average and amongst the highest in the EU-27, and

Our unemployment rate is below the UK rate and close to its lowest ever.