Banffshire & Buchan Coast SNP: Scotland Wealthier Than UK Since 1980

Friday, 12 July 2013

Scotland Wealthier Than UK Since 1980

Scotland has been wealthier than the rest of the UK for every single year since 1980, new analysis of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures has shown.

The figures, obtained from the UK and Scottish Governments and released by the SNP, show that on average Scotland’s GDP per head has been £1,905 (14.34%) higher than that of the rest of the UK – and that gap has grown to £3,804 (14.34%) per head since the Scottish National Party came to office in 2007.

The figures come as a bitter blow to anti-independence campaigners who have consistently argued that Scotland would be worse off being a normal independent nation.

Commenting on the figures, Kenneth Gibson – Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Finance Committee - said:

“These figures totally demolish the bogus claims of the anti-independence parties, because they prove once and for all that Scotland more than pays its own way in the UK.

“Even during the Thatcher years with the closure of some of Scotland’s biggest industries, productivity continued to be higher in Scotland than the rest of the UK.

“On average, Scots were more than 14% more productive per head than their counterparts in the rest of the UK since 1980, equal to £1,905 per person.

“The figures have improved further since the SNP took office in 2007, which underlines the hard work being done by the Scottish Government to improve the Scottish economy even with the relatively limited financial powers currently available.

“With the full economic powers Scotland would have as an independent country we will do even better still, with the ability to boost recovery, create jobs and deliver a wealthier and fairer society.

“The questions are now stacking up for the anti-independence parties and the No campaign which has real questions to answer about the credibility of their campaign.”