Jobs boost: Sturgeon confirms oil firm’s £31m investment in Montrose

“The report’s projections about deficit reduction are deliberately cautious. They make no assumptions about higher growth – and instead illustrate that even in worst case scenario independence is a better option than sticking with Westminster system that created the deficit.

“But with the powers of independence and by following report’s advice on how we can match the success of other small countries – particularly its recommendations on population – higher growth,

JACKSON CARLAW Nicola Sturgeon revealed at the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service annual conference yesterday that US oil services giant Baker Hughes is to create up to 100 jobs more revenue and increased prosperity and fairness is the attainable prize.

“So we have a choice – stay as we are, locked into the Brexit spiral and continued austerity that the Westminster parties offer no alternative to – or decide to equip ourselves with the powers to build our way to a better future.

But Ms Sturgeon’s claims were branded “desperate” by Tory deputy leader Jackson Carlaw.

He said: “This is a visibly desperate move by the First Minister, in Angus at a new £31 million manufacturing centre of excellence at its site in Montrose, backed by a £4.9m Scottish Enterprise grant who’s clearly been rattled by the furious reaction of hardcore independence evangelists in recent days.

“This report made abundantly clear that a separate Scotland is likely to bring nothing other than economic hard times. The authors accepted this, perhaps Scotland’s First Minister should too.”

Labour leader Richard Leonard said: “The SNP promised a Growth Commission, but Nicola Sturgeon has found herself defending a Cuts Commission.” Tax levels between Scotland and the rest of the UK will “inevitably” diverge further because of differences in the political priorities, Scotland’s finance secretary has said.

It comes after a recent overhaul of the tax system which leaves high earners paying more in Scotland than elsewhere in the UK, while those on lower salaries pay less.

And the SNP cabinet secretary has told industry website Public Finance that this gap is likely to widen in the years ahead.

“I suspect further divergence is inevitable, knowing the principles and policies of what the [Scottish] government wants to deliver,” Mr Mackay said.

“The reason we are diverging is that we want to use our tax system in a more progressive fashion and, clearly, the UK government does not.”

The new Scottish tax system means anyone earning more than £33,000 will pay more in tax. Overall the changes will raise an estimated £219 million for public spending.

Tory finance spokesman Murdo Fraser said: “Not content at making Scotland the highest-taxed part of the UK, it seems the SNP now wants to go further.

“Its moves, which it seems to think are ‘progressive’, will drive away jobs and investment.

“If anything, Derek Mackay should be looking to eliminate the divergence, not go even further in the wrong direction.”

“This report made abundantly clear that a separate Scotland is likely to bring nothing other than economic hard times”