SNP growth chief Wilson says spending would rise on independence

● Labour leadership has ‘no coherent plan’ to end austerity in Scotland

The prospect of a UK Labour government bringing an end to austerity in Scotland is “for the birds”, according to the head of a sweeping SNP blueprint to transform the nation’s economy after independence.

Andrew Wilson, chairman of the party’s Growth Commission, has defended the proposed spending curbs earmarked for the first decade of independence amid concerns from left-wing supporters of independence that this will lead to more austerity.

Mr Wilson insisted that the report shows public spending could still increase in the first decade of independence, but must remain within the broader rate of GDP growth. This would bring the country’s £113 billion spending deficit – the difference between the cost of public services and taxes raised to pay for them – under control.

“All of the evidence of the countries we’ve looked at shows the outcomes are better – not only do they have higher living standards, but they have better and more coherent societies,” he said in a television interview yesterday.

“Waiting for a Labour government to make the UK better is for the birds – it’s not going to happen.”

He added: “Let’s see if they [Labour] ever have the chance to deploy whatever plan they have got.

“I’ve not really seen a coherent plan from that side of the