Scotland's economy

Economic alignment with UK

Author or Creator

Common Weal

A key argument for independence is that economic alignment with the UK is no longer applicable. The weaker the alignment with the UK economic model, the greater the opportunity to “do things differently”, but the greater the short-term risk and upheaval.

The Barnett formula

Author or Creator

J. R. Cuthbert

The Barnet formula is used to calculate how much money Scotland receives each year from the UK Treasury. It calculates devolved budgets. It uses the previous year’s budget and adjusts based on increases or decreases in comparable spending per person in England. Parts of the resulting sum are with held for non-devolved expenditure. Other areas of government have only a portion of their expenditure allocated by the formula.

England does not subsidise Scotland

Author or Creator

Believe in Scotland

No. When the UK debt repayments are removed from GERS, it shows Scotland has a surplus. The UK Government has diverted Scotland’s wealth to the UK Treasury to pay off its debts. Thus it creates 100% of Scotland’s supposed debts and 100% of its phoney deficit.

How to future-proof Scotland's economy. Open Minds on Independence #15

Primary Author or Creator

The National

Date Published

Sat, 04/03/2021 - 12:00

Fast Facts

Rapidly growing new and high-tech industries are also driving Scotland’s economy which is actually more diverse than the rest of the UK. Three areas are of particular importance: Life sciences, digital industries, and space industry.

New GERS data fundamentally makes the case for Scottish Independence

Primary Author or Creator

MacIntyre-Kemp, Gordon

Alternative Published Date

August 2021

Fast Facts

Latest GERS (UK Government's Expenditure and Revenue Report for Scotland) figures have been released. The author sets out what the figures represent and how they can be misleading in terms of Scotland's capabilities as an independent nation.