Business figures show Scotland's manufacturing trade is suffering decline in several key areas.
A decline in new orders and a fall in employment means the Scottish manufacturing sector continues to suffer.
However the latest business figures from the Bank of Scotland show there are some successes for the wider Scottish economy - with an increase in levels of new business and employment as a whole in Scotland.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said:
“We welcome the Bank of Scotland’s PMI for October published today which signalled a strengthening in private sector activity at the start of Q4 2015.
“Last week, the Fraser of Allander Institute forecast that the Scottish economy will continue to grow and unemployment will continue to fall over the forecast period.
“With this in mind, the Scottish Government will continue to use every power at our disposal to grow the economy and create jobs.”
10°C
10°C
9°C