Beyond GERS: Scotland’s fiscal position post-independence

Stephen Richard — Sun, 12 Sep 2021 11:11:35 +0000

Primary Author or Creator

Craig Dalzell

Stephen Richard Sun, 09/12/2021 - 12:11

Additional Author(s) / Creators

Common Weal

Alternative Published Date

2017

Category

Economy

Type of Resource

Policy Paper

Fast Facts

GERS (Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland) 2015/16 reported Scotland’s fiscal deficit to be in the region of £14 billion per year, portraying Scotland as the country experiencing some of the most challenging financial circumstances in Europe.

However, this study must be viewed firmly in the light of Scotland being a member nation of the United Kingdom and, as such, any attempt to use them to project the finances of an independent Scotland must be treated with caution and qualification.

The very act of independence will result in significant redistributions and reallocations of government resources which will likely result in economic benefits accruing to Scotland. Additionally, decisions on how to establish and govern new Scottish state institutions will also improve Scotland’s budget at the point of set-up, further strengthening the fiscal position vis-à-vis that presented in GERS and that of the rest of the United Kingdom.

Resource Address (URL)

https://commonweal.scot/policies/beyond-gers-scotlands-fiscal-position-post-ind…

Keywords

GERS

Scottish Debt

Government finance

Language English