There were certainly some positives for Scotland in a key economic report published last week.

However, Royal Bank of Scotland’s growth tracker survey also highlighted the economic challenges faced across the UK.

On the bright side for Scotland, it was the only one of the 12 UK nations and regions not to suffer a fall in private sector employment in April. This followed four consecutive months of decline in employment north of the Border, although Scotland had recorded the least-sharp fall among the nations and regions in March.

While the stabilisation of private sector employment in Scotland is no reason to be popping champagne corks, it is a good outcome under the circumstances.

Royal Bank said of the private sector employment picture across the UK: “April saw a near-universal decrease in employment at the start of the second quarter. Furthermore, in most cases, rates of decline quickened from the month before. Labour market conditions showed resilience in Scotland, where headcounts stabilised following four straight months of decline.”

Sebastian Burnside, chief economist of Royal Bank, said: “As firms look to mitigate rising costs, we've seen average prices charged for goods and services increase at faster rates, as well as a greater focus on workforces. Labour markets in all areas of the UK have felt the impact to some degree in recent months, with only Scotland avoiding a fall in employment in April.”

In terms of business activity in April, there was mixed news for Scotland.

Overall Scottish private sector manufacturing and........

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