Economy weakness shown by figures

Dear Editor, The Scottish Government recently published the Government Expenditure & Revenue Scotland (GERS) statistics for the financial year 2017-18.

In an attempt to fully understand the SNP’s overspend of £13.44 billion, I logged on to the party’s website which states “here’s what you need to know.”

We then “learn” from this piece of SNP propaganda: “Scotland’s onshore economy grew by £2bn – Scotland’s economy is strong – health and education spending remains higher than across the UK – Scotland’s public finances are in line with the UK outside of London – an independent Scotland could tackle the deficit we would inherit from the UK without austerity.”

Not one word of negativity! Where is the SNP’s objectivity?

The unpalatable truth is clear. For the period, there is an estimated fiscal deficit of £13.44bn, or -7.9 per cent of Scottish gross domestic product: the UK balance was -1.9% of GDP. Put another way, the Scottish deficit is more than four times the UK’s.

Professor Graeme Roy, director of economic think-tank the Fraser of Allander Institute, said: “GERS does provide a pretty accurate picture of where Scotland is in 2018.”

When asked if the GERS were a persuasive argument for the UK union, first minister Nicola Sturgeon replied “No”, saying: “There are very good reasons why public spending per head in Scotland is higher than it is for the UK, not least the rurality of our population.

“The second point is GERS is looking at a situation over a single year. That’s why it’s important to look at this, not just in terms of a single year, but in terms of the situation over a longer period.”

Quite frankly, I find both statements to be astonishing!

In reply to her “rurality” point, independence will not change this even though the SNP are in favour of increased immigration.

Second, it is a fact that, even with oil, Scotland has run a deficit in all but one of the past 23 years. Ms Sturgeon is being economical with the truth.

Murdo Fraser of the Conservatives said: “If Nicola Sturgeon wants to continue her threat of a second referendum, she has to explain where she would find £13bn to fill the deficit?”

He continued: “Scotland, as part of the UK, received an extra £1576 for every man, woman and child last year. If Scotland was to be ripped out of the UK, the spending would be slashed dramatically. Any Scottish Government would also have to massively increase taxes and borrowing to help make up the difference.”

In conclusion, I would simply state that continuing weakness in Scotland’s economy and uncertain oil revenues are no basis for taking Scotland out of the UK. Ronnie Wright, Airdrie