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The English media tells us our neighbour Scotland is ‘too wee & too poor’ to leave the political union which currently unites our two countries.
It seems only fair the people of England should understand whether this 300 year old agreement is still relevant today...
The English media tells us our neighbour Scotland is ‘too wee & too poor’ to leave the political union which currently unites our two countries.
It seems only fair the people of England should understand whether this 300 year old agreement is still relevant today...
Unfortunately facts & figures are heavily obfuscated, making it difficult to quantify England’s contribution & returns, but here’s Scotland’s:
Scotland donated >£60Bn to the UK Chancellor in 2019 & received a £35Bn ‘grant’ back. UK Gov retained £25Bn to spend anywhere in the UK
Scotland donated >£60Bn to the UK Chancellor in 2019 & received a £35Bn ‘grant’ back. UK Gov retained £25Bn to spend anywhere in the UK
Scotland’s Government has to manage all devolved spending from this ‘grant’.
(The free education & prescriptions we hear about come from this budget - it’s a choice to use the money for these things, rather than for grants to private schools, for example).
(The free education & prescriptions we hear about come from this budget - it’s a choice to use the money for these things, rather than for grants to private schools, for example).
So how are Scotland & England different?
Scotland has their own separate (and different):
Government
Parliament
First Minister
Electoral System
Judiciary
Legal/criminal justice system
Taxation Policies
Police force
National Health Service
Education system
Social Care Program
Scotland has their own separate (and different):
Government
Parliament
First Minister
Electoral System
Judiciary
Legal/criminal justice system
Taxation Policies
Police force
National Health Service
Education system
Social Care Program
Scotland’s resources:
9% of UK population:
96% UK Oil & Gas reserves
96% Hydro-electric power
60% UK fishing territory
30% UK agri-produce & livestock
Provides 30% of England’s electricity
UK’s 2nd largest export - Whisky
Scotland is a net exporter
England is a net importer
9% of UK population:
96% UK Oil & Gas reserves
96% Hydro-electric power
60% UK fishing territory
30% UK agri-produce & livestock
Provides 30% of England’s electricity
UK’s 2nd largest export - Whisky
Scotland is a net exporter
England is a net importer
Some important areas of Scotland’s spending are reserved to the UK Government to manage, using that £25Bn they keep. What if we let them keep all their own money and made them pay for it themselves?...
If £25Bn currently kept by UK Gov was returned:
Pensions:
800k Scottish pensioners, c£7.5Bn
Social security’ (9% of UK bill), £20Bn
This would put Scotland £2.5Bn in the red....
Pensions:
800k Scottish pensioners, c£7.5Bn
Social security’ (9% of UK bill), £20Bn
This would put Scotland £2.5Bn in the red....
Defence?
UK defence budget 2019 £40Bn
Ireland similar population & ‘threat level’ to Scotland - Defence budget £1Bn
Scotland would be more likely to copy Ireland, so £1Bn defence.
Scotland now £3.5Bn in the red.
UK defence budget 2019 £40Bn
Ireland similar population & ‘threat level’ to Scotland - Defence budget £1Bn
Scotland would be more likely to copy Ireland, so £1Bn defence.
Scotland now £3.5Bn in the red.
There are complex income, corporation & VAT tax arrangements, some devolved, some reserved - would they net out this £3.5Bn?...
The UK Government has placed the UK in over £2Tn debt.
As part of the UK, Scotland’s assigned share of this is c£200Bn - even though most of the 2Tn was not spent on or in Scotland.
But in England we don’t know what our contribution or share was.
As part of the UK, Scotland’s assigned share of this is c£200Bn - even though most of the 2Tn was not spent on or in Scotland.
But in England we don’t know what our contribution or share was.
It seems obvious from this that not only is Scotland capable of financial independence, that perhaps it would be in England’s interests too?
England has the opportunity to stop borrowing & start trading!
Let’s get ready to get going!
England has the opportunity to stop borrowing & start trading!
Let’s get ready to get going!
