Using financial data to enhance labour market statistics in Scotland
This report summarises a feasibility study examining whether pseudonymised consumer transaction data could provide additional insight into employment, unemployment and economic inactivity in Scotland.
Part of
Current position and next steps
The feasibility study and its four planned phases were completed at the end of August 2026. Following completion, discussions were expected to move to a successor contract for ongoing development and delivery of data. However, before those arrangements could be concluded, Smart Data Foundry, who conducted the feasibility study and had exclusive use of the NatWest Group pseudonymised financial data, entered administration.
For that reason, the proposed roadmap is not able to be implemented at this time. This does not change the findings of the completed feasibility study, but it prevents the further exploration of the development work and ongoing data delivery model set out in Phase 4 from proceeding at this time.
The Scottish Government is keen to continue this valuable work and will re-evaluate our options as and when alternative access to the data is established externally. Any decision to resume the work will consider data availability, governance, independent assurance, and value for money.
For now, the feasibility study has clearly demonstrated the potential of financial transaction data to provide new insights into labour market conditions and wider socioeconomic issues, creating a strong foundation for future development.
Contact
For enquiries about this publication please contact:
Labour Market Statistics,
Office of the Chief Economic Adviser
E-mail: LMStats@gov.scot
For general enquiries about Scottish Government statistics please contact:
Office of the Chief Statistician
E-mail: statistics.enquiries@gov.scot