Independent Scotland ‘could face £2.5billion bill’

AN independent Scotland would require ‘start-up costs’ of £2.5billion – ten times more than Alex Salmond has claimed – according to experts.

The Centre for Economics and Business Research warned the costs of creating tax and welfare systems, a defence force and embassies would be vast.

If Mr Salmond had to set up a currency the cost could rise by another £2billion.

The SNP leader has refused to publish his own figures but suggested the £250million price tag produced by Professor Patrick Dunleavy of the London School of Economics was ‘reasonable’, even though it is less than the cost of the existing Scottish Parliament.

Critics warned the CEBR report paints a dire picture of the impact of separation on Scotland’s finances and public spending. It also warns that an independent Scotland would have to borrow £12billion a year, raise taxes or slash public spending to plug the gap in Mr Salmond’s economic plans.

Scottish Labour MP Anne McGuire said: ‘This expert analysis confirms what we already know – independence isn’t a price worth paying. Where is the sense in every Scottish family paying through the nose for something we already have as part of the UK?’

The CEBR report increases pressure on the Scottish government to publish research on start-up costs before the vote on September 18. The figure, which would cost each Scottish household about £1,000, includes £1billion for tax and welfare systems, £400million for a defence force and £450million for foreign office real estate and offices.

A Scottish intelligence agency could add £200million, based on Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s estimate, while joining the EU, UN and Nato could cost millions more.