Deficit soars as rest of UK thrives

SCOTLAND is now the only part of the UK with a soaring deficit – dealing a further blow to Nicola Sturgeon’s crumbling economic case for independence.

The gulf between what is spent and raised through tax has risen by more than £1.1billion in two years – to £15.17billion in 2015/16.

Every other region and country in the UK has cut its deficit or moved further into the black.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures were uncovered by Scottish Labour. Yesterday, party leader Kezia Dugdale said they proved breaking up Britain would lead to ‘turbo-charged austerity’.

She added: ‘The First Minister claims to oppose austerity but she has done nothing to address it in Scotland and continues to pursue independence, which would only exacerbate it. It is a tragedy that she is prepared to inflict further pain on our economy and working families across Scotland.’

Nicola Sturgeon has suggested Nationalist MPs could prop up a Labour minority government in a ‘progressive alliance’ – and the price would almost certainly be a

second vote on independence. Miss Dugdale insisted this demand would be rejected.

She said: ‘There will be a Labour budget presented, the SNP have to decide whether they would offer their support for it. If they don’t, you’ll end up with a Tory government and Scotland will never forgive the SNP for that.’

Callum McCaig, SNP candidate for Aberdeen South, said: ‘Scotland is one of the wealthiest parts of the UK outside London.’