FIGURES showing a record number of foreign direct investment projects across Scotland in 2023 have been welcomed by a Wee County MSP.

For the ninth year running Scotland is the top performing part of the UK outside London as independent figures by EY showed that 142 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects were secured in 2023.

It marks an increase of 12.7 per cent from 2022 and at double the rate of growth experienced across the UK.

The country’s share of UK FDI projects increased for a fifth year in a row to 14.4 per cent while investor perception has also gone up.

Clackmannanshire and Dunblane MSP Keith Brown welcomed the results of the independent analysis.

He said: “Scotland is the only part of the UK to have seen inward investment grow consecutively over the last five years.

“Driving economic growth is a priority for the SNP in enabling us to tackle poverty and improve public services – and these record levels of inward investment highlight that the actions of the SNP government are making a real difference.

“Let us bear that in mind when Labour and Tory politicians whinge and whine about the Scottish Government having established a network of international offices, working to promote Scottish interests overseas and strengthen our relationships with other countries.”

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He called on the incoming government to “not destabilise that excellent work” with “petty political posturing” and highlighted that Scotland is becoming an increasingly attractive investment destination.

The MSP added: “Centres of excellence such as Scotland’s International Environment Centre in my constituency are a massive part of that attraction, delivering transformational change in sustainable business practice, and promoting the protection and enhancement of our natural resources to drive economic prosperity, wellbeing, and a just transition to a net zero future.

“The SNP is focused on delivering economic growth for the people of Scotland and that hard work will continue to ensure that further economic development and high-quality jobs are delivered across Scotland.”