The Scottish Government’s own figures have confirmed that the Scotland benefits from more than £1,500 per person in higher public spending, despite raising less than £300 per person in taxes.
Despite complaints about fiscal austerity from the Scottish Government, their own figures also show total public spending in Scotland has risen by more than £2bn since last year.
Described as “the authoritative publication on Scotland’s public finances” by the SNP, the Scottish Government’s expenditure and revenue statistics (GERS) confirm that last year the fiscal deficit of Scotland was 7.9% of GDP.
This deficit is 4 times higher than the UK’s deficit of 1.9% of GDP.
The figures mean that if Scotland was to separate from the UK, it would be faced with a deficit of £13.4bn, before set up costs, increased cost of borrowing or the effect on the economy of leaving a market worth to Scotland four times more than the EU, were taken into account.
Local MSP Rachael Hamilton said the time has come for local SNP politicians to be straight with Borderers who would be set to lose the greatest from separating from the rest of the UK.
Rachael Hamilton MSP said:
“It is clear from the SNP's own GERS figures, that like previous years, Scotland benefits greatly from being part of the UK”
“Total expenditure per person in Scotland was £13,530 for 2017-18, compared to £11,954 in the rest of the UK, meaning Scots are better off to the tune of £1,576 per head, as a result of being part of the UK.
“Separation from the rest of the UK would have a devastating impact on the Borders, as we gain a great deal from strong trade links as part of the UK single market, as well as access to employment opportunities and public services.
“No matter how the SNP try and spin their way out of this, the bottom line is that, in good times and bad, Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland are better off in one Union together, facing global challenges together.”