...AND WE GAVE £500M TO EU INSTITUTIONS

SCOTLAND handed over more than half-a-billion pounds to EU institutions last year.

Government accounts show that Scotland’s net contribution was £528million in 2015-16.

The nation paid out more than £1.1billion, getting only £610million back in public sector EU receipts.

The UK as a whole made a net payment of £10.8billion, despite the historic rebate secured by Margaret Thatcher that reduces the overall sum.

Scottish Secretary David Mundell, who supported Remain, said: ‘The fact public spending was £1,200 per head higher in Scotland than the UK as a whole also demonstrates that the United Kingdom, not the European Union, is the vital union for Scotland’s prosperity.’

In June’s EU referendum, 62 per cent of Scots voted Remain – with a majority in all of the 32 council areas.