The Argyll and Bute economy has not been immune from the global economic difficulties, which has seen the Scottish economy officially in recession. However, at 3.1 per cent. the claimant count rate for Argyll and Bute is below that of the Scottish average. UK Government have delivered a £500 million fiscal boost from Budget 2009 measures, a £2 billion boost as part of the 2008 pre-Budget report, all in addition to the substantial interventions to support the Scottish banks.