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Scottish independence: Bank of England has referendum contingency plan Scottish independence: Bank of England has referendum contingency plan
(about 1 hour later)
Bank of England Governor Mark Carney has said the institution has drawn up currency contingency plans, whatever the outcome of the Scottish referendum.Bank of England Governor Mark Carney has said the institution has drawn up currency contingency plans, whatever the outcome of the Scottish referendum.
This is the first time he has explicitly confirmed the bank is making plans for different outcomes that could impact on the issue.This is the first time he has explicitly confirmed the bank is making plans for different outcomes that could impact on the issue.
Mr Carney's comments came ahead of the 18 September independence referendum.Mr Carney's comments came ahead of the 18 September independence referendum.
Scottish and UK ministers are in dispute over plans for Scotland to keep the pound under a currency union.Scottish and UK ministers are in dispute over plans for Scotland to keep the pound under a currency union.
The Scottish government set out the scenario in the event of a "Yes" vote, but the leaders of the main UK parties have said they would not support a deal to share Sterling on a formal basis.The Scottish government set out the scenario in the event of a "Yes" vote, but the leaders of the main UK parties have said they would not support a deal to share Sterling on a formal basis.
In a speech given in January in Edinburgh, Mr Carney outlined the criteria for a currency union.In a speech given in January in Edinburgh, Mr Carney outlined the criteria for a currency union.
He described his own speech as a "technocratic assessment of what makes an effective currency union between independent nations", rather than an assessment of Scotland's future economic options.He described his own speech as a "technocratic assessment of what makes an effective currency union between independent nations", rather than an assessment of Scotland's future economic options.
During a news conference in London on Wednesday, Mr Carney stressed the decision about whether or not an independent Scotland would form a currency union with the rest of the UK would be made by politicians.During a news conference in London on Wednesday, Mr Carney stressed the decision about whether or not an independent Scotland would form a currency union with the rest of the UK would be made by politicians.
In a carefully neutral comment, Mr Carney said it was the role of the Bank of England to implement whatever decision was made, and to ensure the financial stability of the whole of the UK.In a carefully neutral comment, Mr Carney said it was the role of the Bank of England to implement whatever decision was made, and to ensure the financial stability of the whole of the UK.
To that end, he said that, as people would expect, the Bank had contingency plans for various possibilities.To that end, he said that, as people would expect, the Bank had contingency plans for various possibilities.
"It's never good to talk about contingency plans in public other than to assure that we have contingency plans," he said, adding: "In terms of our responsibilities for financial stability - we have a wide range of tools and plans.""It's never good to talk about contingency plans in public other than to assure that we have contingency plans," he said, adding: "In terms of our responsibilities for financial stability - we have a wide range of tools and plans."
A key part of the role of governor is to provide reassurance both for the UK financial system and for markets. Mr Carney's latest comments were framed in that context.A key part of the role of governor is to provide reassurance both for the UK financial system and for markets. Mr Carney's latest comments were framed in that context.
If Scotland does vote for independence, it would still be the role of the Bank of England to ensure financial stability for the whole of the UK - including Scotland - until an official date for Scottish independence is reached.If Scotland does vote for independence, it would still be the role of the Bank of England to ensure financial stability for the whole of the UK - including Scotland - until an official date for Scottish independence is reached.
The governor therefore repeated assurances that the institution would continue to act to ensure financial responsibility for the whole of the UK, whatever the outcome of the vote.The governor therefore repeated assurances that the institution would continue to act to ensure financial responsibility for the whole of the UK, whatever the outcome of the vote.
'Financial stability'
He said: "I will reiterate that we will implement whatever we're asked to implement and I'll add further, if I may, that we also have responsibilities, as you know, for financial stability in the United Kingdom and we will continue to discharge those responsibilities until they change.
"We will continue to discharge those responsibilities regardless of the outcome of the vote on the 18th September."
Mr Carney's comments strike a different tone to the UK government, which has repeatedly said it was not putting contingency plans in place for the possibility of Scotland voting for independence.Mr Carney's comments strike a different tone to the UK government, which has repeatedly said it was not putting contingency plans in place for the possibility of Scotland voting for independence.
His remarks were welcomed by Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney, who said the governor had confirmed that the Bank of England would remain responsible for the currency and financial stability of Scotland and the rest of the UK in the event of a "Yes" vote.
He added: "This also shows why it is in the best interests of the rest of the UK to continue with a currency union on independence.
"The Scottish government is clear that an independent Scotland will use the pound and we will do so in a currency union - any suggestion otherwise is just bluster, as confirmed by the senior UK minister who has admitted that 'of course' there will be a currency union following a Yes vote.
"Mr Carney's calm and considered comments are a sharp contrast to the scaremongering and threats of UK politicians."
But Alistair Darling, the head of the Better Together campaign, said Mr Carney had confirmed he would implement whatever currency arrangement he was asked to by those to whom he was politically accountable.
Mr Darling added: "The governor has confirmed that a currency union would not work without shared taxation and spending, the very things that Alex Salmond wants to dismantle with a Yes vote.
"Mark Carney also confirmed that he will implement the decisions of the UK parties who have ruled out a currency union.
"The money we would use if we vote for independence isn't an academic matter, it is critical to everyone in Scotland. Alex Salmond has got to come clean and tell us what Plan B is."