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Scottish public finances show improvement Scottish public finances show improvement
(about 1 hour later)
Scotland's public finances have continued to show some improvement over the past year, according to Scottish government statistics.Scotland's public finances have continued to show some improvement over the past year, according to Scottish government statistics.
The Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (Gers) report said the country spent £13.4bn more than it raised in taxes in the past financial year.The Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (Gers) report said the country spent £13.4bn more than it raised in taxes in the past financial year.
The deficit as a percentage of the country's GDP dropped from 8.9% to 7.9% - still four times higher than the UK.The deficit as a percentage of the country's GDP dropped from 8.9% to 7.9% - still four times higher than the UK.
The UK's spending deficit dropped by £6.4bn to £39.4bn in 2017/18.The UK's spending deficit dropped by £6.4bn to £39.4bn in 2017/18.
This was the lowest figure since since 2007, and the equivalent of 1.9% of the UK's GDP.This was the lowest figure since since 2007, and the equivalent of 1.9% of the UK's GDP.
The Gers figures have become a key battleground in the debate over Scottish independence in recent years.The Gers figures have become a key battleground in the debate over Scottish independence in recent years.
Scotland had a relatively stronger fiscal position than the UK in 2010/11, but since then the position has been reversed - largely as a result of the collapse in the oil price.Scotland had a relatively stronger fiscal position than the UK in 2010/11, but since then the position has been reversed - largely as a result of the collapse in the oil price.
The latest statistics estimated that Scotland's total public sector revenue rose by about £3bn to £60bn in 2017/18, of which £1.3bn was from the North Sea oil and gas industry.The latest statistics estimated that Scotland's total public sector revenue rose by about £3bn to £60bn in 2017/18, of which £1.3bn was from the North Sea oil and gas industry.
This was higher than the £266m of revenue from the North Sea in the previous year - but well below the £8bn the offshore industry generated in 2011/12.This was higher than the £266m of revenue from the North Sea in the previous year - but well below the £8bn the offshore industry generated in 2011/12.
Scotland's share of total UK revenue has also fallen in recent years from a peak of 9.7% in 2008/09, and currently stands at 8.0% of the UK total.Scotland's share of total UK revenue has also fallen in recent years from a peak of 9.7% in 2008/09, and currently stands at 8.0% of the UK total.
Total expenditure by the Scottish government, UK government, and all other parts of the public sector in Scotland was said to have increased put at £73.4bn, which was equivalent to 9.3% of total UK public sector expenditure.Total expenditure by the Scottish government, UK government, and all other parts of the public sector in Scotland was said to have increased put at £73.4bn, which was equivalent to 9.3% of total UK public sector expenditure.
Other key statistics from the report include:Other key statistics from the report include:
Last year's report estimated that Scotland's spending deficit had been £13.3bn, or the 8.3% GDP, in 2016/17.Last year's report estimated that Scotland's spending deficit had been £13.3bn, or the 8.3% GDP, in 2016/17.
But these figures have now been revised upwards to £14.5bn and 8.9% of GDP.But these figures have now been revised upwards to £14.5bn and 8.9% of GDP.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon welcomed the latest figures, which she said provided further evidence that the country's economy was "on the right trajectory" despite the "limited powers" at the Scottish government's disposal.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon welcomed the latest figures, which she said provided further evidence that the country's economy was "on the right trajectory" despite the "limited powers" at the Scottish government's disposal.
And she rejected the suggestion that higher public spending north of the border despite the deficit was a "persuasive argument for the union".And she rejected the suggestion that higher public spending north of the border despite the deficit was a "persuasive argument for the union".
M Sturgeon added: "If we look at the situation in Scotland within the UK over a longer period of time, this notion that Scotland is somehow subsidised, I think, simply does not stand up to scrutiny." Ms Sturgeon added: "If we look at the situation in Scotland within the UK over a longer period of time, this notion that Scotland is somehow subsidised, I think, simply does not stand up to scrutiny."
'Unprecedented austerity''Unprecedented austerity'
But the UK government's Scottish secretary, David Mundell, said it was concerning that Scotland's deficit as a share of GDP remained four times that of the UK's.But the UK government's Scottish secretary, David Mundell, said it was concerning that Scotland's deficit as a share of GDP remained four times that of the UK's.
He said: "These figures confirm that being part of a strong United Kingdom - the 5th largest economy in the world - is worth nearly £1,900 for every single person in Scotland, which supports vital public services.He said: "These figures confirm that being part of a strong United Kingdom - the 5th largest economy in the world - is worth nearly £1,900 for every single person in Scotland, which supports vital public services.
"Simply put, Scotland contributed 8% of UK tax, and received more than 9% of UK spending for the benefit of families across the country.""Simply put, Scotland contributed 8% of UK tax, and received more than 9% of UK spending for the benefit of families across the country."
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said the figures showed that "the SNP's plans for independence would mean unprecedented levels of austerity for Scotland".Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said the figures showed that "the SNP's plans for independence would mean unprecedented levels of austerity for Scotland".
Gers was described as the "authoritative publication on Scotland's public finances" in the Scottish government's White Paper on independence ahead of the 2014 referendum.Gers was described as the "authoritative publication on Scotland's public finances" in the Scottish government's White Paper on independence ahead of the 2014 referendum.
The report is compiled by statisticians working for the Scottish government's chief economic adviser, and is free from political interference.The report is compiled by statisticians working for the Scottish government's chief economic adviser, and is free from political interference.
The Scottish government has published a list of answers to frequently asked questions about how Gers is compiled here.The Scottish government has published a list of answers to frequently asked questions about how Gers is compiled here.