Local SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan, has said that the 2024/25 Government Expenditure & Revenue Scotland (GERS) statistics published yesterday morning further illustrate why Scotland needs independence to grow our economy and build a fairer society.
The annual GERS report estimates how much money is spent for Scotland’s benefit by the Scottish Government and the public sector – but it also includes how much is spent on ‘Scotland’s behalf’ by the UK government - including spending on the likes of immoral Trident nuclear weapons.
The figures show that Scotland’s devolved revenue grew by 9.7%, higher than the 6.8% increase in expenditure.
Alasdair Allan MSP said:
“Decisions about Scotland are best taken by the people of Scotland – and these latest figures show the true cost of Scotland not being independent.
“The decisions of this SNP government are helping us to deliver on our key priorities, including supporting sustainable public finances and eradicating child poverty here in the Western Isles and across the country.
“This is the fourth year in a row in which devolved revenues have grown faster than devolved expenditure. Indeed, Scotland’s public finances are in better health than many other parts of the UK, with the third highest revenue per person in the UK, behind only London and the South East.
“The GERS statistics reflect only the current constitutional arrangements – of Scotland as part of the UK – and not an independent Scotland with its own policies, including decisions on defence spending and the economy. GERS figures include the UK Government’s spending on Scotland’s behalf, such as on Trident. The government of an independent Scotland would have completely different priorities.
“Being taken out of the EU, against the will of the people of Scotland, has hit Scotland’s revenues by £2.3 billion and the higher cost of UK government debt adds £500 million to the deficit.
“In an independent Scotland, the Scottish Government would have the economic powers to deliver policies that are tailored to Scotland’s own circumstances, and that would enable us to grow our economy while building a fairer society.”
https://www.gov.scot/news/devolved-revenue-grows-faster-than-expenditure/
