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Scotland's trade with UK rises to £50bn Scotland's trade with UK rises to £50bn
(35 minutes later)
Scotland's trade with the rest of the UK continues to be worth four times more than its exports to the EU, according to Scottish government figures.Scotland's trade with the rest of the UK continues to be worth four times more than its exports to the EU, according to Scottish government figures.
The latest Export Statistics Scotland data showed the country sold £49.8bn to the rest of the UK in 2015 - £2.1bn more than the previous year.The latest Export Statistics Scotland data showed the country sold £49.8bn to the rest of the UK in 2015 - £2.1bn more than the previous year.
Exports to the EU rose by £520m to a total of £12.3bn.Exports to the EU rose by £520m to a total of £12.3bn.
Both figures represented a 4.4% increase on the previous year.Both figures represented a 4.4% increase on the previous year.
The gap between the value of Scotland's trade with the UK and EU is a major source of controversy around the Brexit process, as the Scottish government seeks to retain access to the European single market, with the potential for reducing access to UK markets. The Scottish government is exploring options for keeping Scotland in the European single market after Brexit, with the first minister saying a second independence referendum is highly likely if it is felt to be the best option for protecting the country's interests.
Opponents argue that independence could threaten access to UK markets - a claim that is dismissed by the Scottish government.
The Scottish government said the increase in exports to the rest of the UK was driven by utilities such as electricity - largely from renewables - as well as gas and water, with petroleum and chemical products contributing to the growth in EU exports.The Scottish government said the increase in exports to the rest of the UK was driven by utilities such as electricity - largely from renewables - as well as gas and water, with petroleum and chemical products contributing to the growth in EU exports.
The statistics also showed that the total value of Scotland's international exports rose from £27.7bn in 2014 to £28.7bn in 2015 - of which £16.4bn was outside the EU.The statistics also showed that the total value of Scotland's international exports rose from £27.7bn in 2014 to £28.7bn in 2015 - of which £16.4bn was outside the EU.
The US continued to be Scotland largest overseas market outside of the EU, buying goods and services worth £4.6bn - more than any single EU country.The US continued to be Scotland largest overseas market outside of the EU, buying goods and services worth £4.6bn - more than any single EU country.
Within the EU, the Netherlands was again the largest market at £2.3bn - although the figure is inflated by Scottish goods going to the port of Rotterdam before being shipped elsewhere.Within the EU, the Netherlands was again the largest market at £2.3bn - although the figure is inflated by Scottish goods going to the port of Rotterdam before being shipped elsewhere.
It was followed by France and Germany, which both accounted for £1.8bn of goods and services.It was followed by France and Germany, which both accounted for £1.8bn of goods and services.
Scotland's economy secretary, Keith Brown, said it was "hugely encouraging" to see Scotland's total international exports, excluding oil and gas, increase by £1bn.Scotland's economy secretary, Keith Brown, said it was "hugely encouraging" to see Scotland's total international exports, excluding oil and gas, increase by £1bn.
He added: "It is clear that since the vote to leave the European Union, we must continue to be seen to be a country that is outward facing and open for business.He added: "It is clear that since the vote to leave the European Union, we must continue to be seen to be a country that is outward facing and open for business.
The EU market is eight times the size of the UK market, which highlights the importance of remaining in the Single Market. "The EU market is eight times the size of the UK market, which highlights the importance of remaining in the Single Market.
"I want to be clear that Scotland should not face a choice between exporting to the EU or UK. We can do both.""I want to be clear that Scotland should not face a choice between exporting to the EU or UK. We can do both."
Mr Brown also announced the members of the Scottish government's new trade board, which will have responsibility for helping to broaden Scotland's export base and grow exports beyond the country's traditional markets.Mr Brown also announced the members of the Scottish government's new trade board, which will have responsibility for helping to broaden Scotland's export base and grow exports beyond the country's traditional markets.
The board will include entrepreneur Russell Dalgleish, British Chambers of Commerce president Nora Senior and Ian Donnelly of Rosyth Babcock.The board will include entrepreneur Russell Dalgleish, British Chambers of Commerce president Nora Senior and Ian Donnelly of Rosyth Babcock.
The UK government's Scottish secretary, David Mundell, said the figures showed that the domestic market in the UK was "far and away" the most important market for Scotland's businesses.The UK government's Scottish secretary, David Mundell, said the figures showed that the domestic market in the UK was "far and away" the most important market for Scotland's businesses.
He added: "The Scottish government's own figures show our trade with the rest of the UK is worth four times our exports to the EU.He added: "The Scottish government's own figures show our trade with the rest of the UK is worth four times our exports to the EU.
"Businesses in Scotland sold £37.5bn more in goods and services to their own market in the UK than they did to all 27 EU countries put together."Businesses in Scotland sold £37.5bn more in goods and services to their own market in the UK than they did to all 27 EU countries put together.
"Today's figures show the UK is the vital union for Scotland, and highlight the importance of maintaining the UK market and preventing any new barriers to doing business across the UK as we leave the EU.""Today's figures show the UK is the vital union for Scotland, and highlight the importance of maintaining the UK market and preventing any new barriers to doing business across the UK as we leave the EU."
'Reckless gamble''Reckless gamble'
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said: "Tory plans for a hard Brexit risk damaging Scotland's economy - but the SNP government's own figures show that independence would be considerably worse.Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said: "Tory plans for a hard Brexit risk damaging Scotland's economy - but the SNP government's own figures show that independence would be considerably worse.
"It is simply a reckless nationalist gamble to put access to the UK single market, and all the jobs that depend on it, at risk. That's why the SNP must drop plans for a second independence referendum.""It is simply a reckless nationalist gamble to put access to the UK single market, and all the jobs that depend on it, at risk. That's why the SNP must drop plans for a second independence referendum."
Scottish Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael said the figures showed the importance of keeping Scotland in both the UK and the EU.Scottish Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael said the figures showed the importance of keeping Scotland in both the UK and the EU.
He added: "If Britain is to be pulled out of the single market and we put up barriers to our trade with Europe it would do huge damage to jobs and prosperity in Scotland.He added: "If Britain is to be pulled out of the single market and we put up barriers to our trade with Europe it would do huge damage to jobs and prosperity in Scotland.
"Similarly erecting a border between Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom would result in a catastrophic loss in trade.""Similarly erecting a border between Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom would result in a catastrophic loss in trade."