The newspaper industry is worth approximately £1bn a year to the Scottish economy, according to a new report.

The independent economic impact survey, carried out on behalf of the Scottish Newspaper Society, claims when advertising and marketing carried by Scottish newsbrands is examined, the industry is responsible for generating some £775m in the wider Scottish economy.

Analysis carried out by Edinburgh-based Optimal Economics, which produced the report, also found that Gross valued added – which measures the value of goods produced in the industry – is approximately £146m, rising to £214m when indirect sources are included.

Other findings include that the industry employes more than 3,000 people in Scotland, and that 25pc of industry staff are involved with digital production.

The survey also found that newspaper advertising sales create almost £300m a year, and almost £800m of annual benefit to Scotland through impacts on competition and innovation

SNS director John McLellan, pictured above left, said: “Scottish newsbrands do not just keep the public better informed and help readers make better choices, they are a vital cogs in the Scottish economy at all levels, from local to national, helping businesses small and large to reach their markets.

“This report demonstrates just how vital Scottish news brands are to the economic well-being of the nation as a whole.”

Peter Wood, director of Optimal Economics, added: “The Scottish newspaper industry is an important economic sector in its own right, but it has a wider strategic importance beyond its size alone and is an essential platform for discussion, promotion and development of creative activity.”