07/03/2013

Scotland In 'Stronger Position' Than UK

The Scottish government has claimed that the country is in a stronger budget position than the UK as a whole, by as much as £824 per person or £4.4bn as a nation.

The announcement follows a report of National Statistics published this week.

The Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland 2011-12 (GERS) report shows that including a geographical share of UK North Sea oil and gas revenues, Scotland contributes a greater share of public sector revenues than it receives in UK public spending, the Scottish government said.

Scotland contributed 9.9% of all UK revenues in 2011-12 but received only 9.3% of total UK public sector expenditure, according to the figures.

Scotland also demonstrated lower deficit levels than the UK. For 2011-12 the UK has a current budget deficit of 6% of GDP, or £92.3bn.

Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney said: "Scotland’s referendum in Autumn 2014 is an opportunity to ensure that key economic decisions are taken in Scotland for Scotland, and that we can boost economic growth to invest in the country’s future.

"In 2011/12, Scotland generated 9.9% of UK revenues with 8.4% of the population while only receiving 9.3% of UK public spending back from the UK government. This demonstrates beyond any doubt that Scotland more than pays her way in the UK.

"And over the last five years Scotland has been in a stronger financial position relative to the UK as a whole by a total of £12.6bn. If Scotland had full control of our finances we could have invested in jobs and infrastructure, reduced Scotland’s share of the deficit, invested in stability fund or directly support households. This underlines the opportunities independence can deliver for the whole of Scotland to pursue a different path to the UK."

(IT)

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