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Scotland's public finances improve but lag behind UK, say government figures Public finance figures reignite debate on Scotland's future
(35 minutes later)
Scotland's public finances have improved according to the latest Scottish government figures, but remain worse than the UK average. The latest public finance figures have reignited the debate about Scotland's future.
The country's net fiscal balance - or deficit - was £12.4bn in the red in 2013/14, down from £14.3bn in a year. The statistics suggest the picture has improved but remains worse than the UK average.
This includes revenue from the oil and gas industry deemed to be in Scottish waters. In 2013/14, people in Scotland paid £400 more in tax than the UK as a whole but they also received £1,200 more in spending.
On the same basis, Scotland raised £54bn in taxes in 2013/14, which amounts to £10,100 per person. The revenue includes taxation from the oil and gas industry deemed to be in Scottish waters.
That figure is £400 more than the UK average. Opponents of independence seized on the data as evidence that Scotland would have been worse off had it voted Yes last September.
But public expenditure in Scotland in the same period was also higher than the UK average - at £66.4bn or 9.2% of total UK spending. Scotland has 8.3% of the UK population. But the Scottish government insisted the figures proved the fundamentals of the economy were strong.
That amounts to £12,500 per person, £1,200 more than the UK average. Scotland was £12.4bn in the red in 2013/14, down from £14.3bn the previous year.
In the same 12 months the country raised £54bn in taxes, or £10,100 per person.
Public expenditure in Scotland, which has 8.3% of the UK population, was 9.2% of the UK total at £66.4bn, or £12,500 per person.
Analysis by Glenn Campbell, BBC Scotland political correspondentAnalysis by Glenn Campbell, BBC Scotland political correspondent
There have been major revisions to last year's Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (Gers) figures.There have been major revisions to last year's Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (Gers) figures.
The 2012/13 bulletin said Scotland's deficit was about £12bn or 8.3% of economic output.The 2012/13 bulletin said Scotland's deficit was about £12bn or 8.3% of economic output.
This figure formed the basis of much of the economic argument in the independence referendum campaign.This figure formed the basis of much of the economic argument in the independence referendum campaign.
This year's bulletin revises the 2012/13 deficit to 9.7% of economic output, compared with 7.2% for the UK.This year's bulletin revises the 2012/13 deficit to 9.7% of economic output, compared with 7.2% for the UK.
The Scottish government says these are technical revisions based on European accounting rules, affecting all EU governments.The Scottish government says these are technical revisions based on European accounting rules, affecting all EU governments.
The revisions were required to be made after the referendum.The revisions were required to be made after the referendum.
Measuring the deficit as a share of economic output, Scotland performs substantially worse than the UK average. Measuring the deficit as a share of economic output, Scotland performed substantially worse than the UK average.
Scotland's deficit as a share of GDP fell from 9.7% in 2012/13 to 8.1% in 2013/14 but was higher than the United Kingdom average of 5.6%. Scotland's deficit as a share of GDP was 8.1% in 2012/13, down from 9.7% in 2012/13 but well above the UK average of 5.6%.
The data is contained in the annual publication Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (Gers).The GERS publication also revealed that notional tax revenue from oil in Scottish waters fell to £4bn in 2013/14, down from £56.2bn in 2012/13. The data is contained in the annual publication Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (Gers). The publication also revealed that notional tax revenue from oil in Scottish waters fell to £4bn in 2013/14, down from £56.2bn in 2012/13.
Unveiling the figures at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Scotland had paid more tax per head of population than the UK average for 34 years in a row.Unveiling the figures at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Scotland had paid more tax per head of population than the UK average for 34 years in a row.
Ms Sturgeon stressed that the deficit was coming down "despite lower oil revenues", which she attributed to "higher levels of capital investment" in 2013/14.Ms Sturgeon stressed that the deficit was coming down "despite lower oil revenues", which she attributed to "higher levels of capital investment" in 2013/14.
But she argued the figures "tell us nothing at all about how Scotland would perform with greater economic and fiscal powers", insisting the government in Edinburgh could have spent and invested more wisely.But she argued the figures "tell us nothing at all about how Scotland would perform with greater economic and fiscal powers", insisting the government in Edinburgh could have spent and invested more wisely.
'Strong fundamentals''Strong fundamentals'
Ms Sturgeon added: "Our key proposition, of course, is that having power in our own hands to grow our economy and boost revenues is a much better position to be in than continuing to be at the mercy of UK austerity and Westminster cuts.Ms Sturgeon added: "Our key proposition, of course, is that having power in our own hands to grow our economy and boost revenues is a much better position to be in than continuing to be at the mercy of UK austerity and Westminster cuts.
"The fundamentals of our economy are strong. Scotland is and continues to be a very wealthy country.""The fundamentals of our economy are strong. Scotland is and continues to be a very wealthy country."
But her opponents jumped on the figures as proof that a vote for independence last September would have been an economic disaster.But her opponents jumped on the figures as proof that a vote for independence last September would have been an economic disaster.
The UK's Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael said the data "put the case for remaining in the UK beyond all doubt".The UK's Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael said the data "put the case for remaining in the UK beyond all doubt".
Pointing out that the figures were based on a relatively high oil price of more than $100 per barrel, the Liberal Democrat MP called them "concrete proof" of "secure and stable levels of funding" for Scotland within the UK, "alongside the ability to absorb economic shocks more effectively".Pointing out that the figures were based on a relatively high oil price of more than $100 per barrel, the Liberal Democrat MP called them "concrete proof" of "secure and stable levels of funding" for Scotland within the UK, "alongside the ability to absorb economic shocks more effectively".
He added: "Today's figures will force the long overdue retirement of a number of economic myths used by those who argue for Scotland leaving the UK. There is no way to avoid these hard facts and attempting to do so would simply be irresponsible."He added: "Today's figures will force the long overdue retirement of a number of economic myths used by those who argue for Scotland leaving the UK. There is no way to avoid these hard facts and attempting to do so would simply be irresponsible."