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More Scots with extreme credit card debts, charity reports Govt actions `could lead to debt for pensioners` Middle-class families in south-east `most in debt` Scottish bankruptcies double BBC Scotland looks at effects of debt on health Scotland avoids house price decline Optimism for Scottish economy Demand for staff in Scotland highest in UK Scots `faring better from credit crunch` Scottish markets "remarkably robust" Crunch `affecting Scottish consumers worse` Scots `feel inflation to be 8.4 percent` Scots calm as UK `goes switching crazy` Scottish house prices `dropped at end of 2007` Debt problems grow for Scots as bankruptcies soar Scots `positive` over new year debts Generous Scots spreading festive cheer Areas of Scotland `most indebted in the UK` Scottish house prices soar Tax changes `could force more towards bankruptcy`

Optimism for Scottish economy

26/06/2008

Latest economic figures from Lloyds TSB Scotland indicate a slowdown but growth overall.

The bank`s Business Monitor stated that for the three-month period from March to May, 39 per cent of businesses reported an increase in turnover, 33 per cent experienced static turnover and 28 per cent a decrease in turnover, producing a net balance increase of 11 per cent.

Slow growth was seen in the production industry, which reported a net balance increase of 19 per cent. Service businesses surveyed reported a net balance of six per cent.

Credit concerns have been expressed by both industries, particularly service – the highest level of concerns in the Business Monitor`s decade-long history.

However, Lloyds TSB Scotland`s chief economist Professor Donald MacRae said: "Consumer confidence remains high enough to result in retail sales increasing at an annual rate of eight per cent."

"Claimant unemployment at 2.6 per cent remains low while house price increases in Scotland have slowed to more realistic levels," Professor MacRae added.

Yesterday Nicola Sturgeon MSP made assurances the Scottish government would work to normalising the credit market and increasing training for financial advisors.

Bachelors `forced to spend more` 17/11/2008 - People who live by themselves find it more difficult to Bankruptcy `increases by 7%` 17/11/2008 - The number of consumers in England and Wales facing bankruptcy Finances `causing women sleepless nights` 14/11/2008 - Financial concerns, potentially including debt problems, are causing women sleepless Christmas spending slowdown expected 13/11/2008 - Christmas spending is expected to stagnate this year, as consumers