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| NEIL WELCOMES POSITIVE REFERENDUM INTERVENTIONS | |
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Airdrie and Shotts MSP Alex Neil has welcomed the positive comments made by both The Wall Street Journal and a top Scottish executive at Lloyds Banking Group on the Independence Referendum. The Wall Street Journal points out that Scotland pays more in taxes to the UK Treasury than it receives in expenditure. According to the Wall Street Journal’s Market Watch website: “There is now little dispute that Scotland on its own can be a viable economy.” And continues: "The claim that a penurious Scotland is a subsidy junkie has already been proved a myth." Philip Grant, chairman of the Scottish executive committee, told the Scottish Parliament's Finance Committee: "Scotland has great strengths, great national opportunities and great talent and strength in its universities sector. For people to be more aware of the brand of Scotland and the capability that we have, and the opportunities, I think, is no bad thing in a global market." Welcoming these reports, Alex Neil MSP said: "This is a welcome and positive contribution to the independence debate which also recognises all of Scotland's strengths. “It is important for people in Airdrie & Shotts and across Scotland to have access to the facts for the referendum debate and these high profile public figures have contributed in a positive way. “These reports follow news that the majority of North Sea oil companies, which make up fifteen percent of Scotland’s tax take, are unconcerned by the results of the independence referendum. “I encourage the people here in my constituency of Airdrie and Shotts, as well as all people of Scotland, to have their say in this referendum.” NOTES • Scotland continues to be in a stronger budget position than the UK as a whole, contributing 9.6% of UK and public sector revenue while receiving 9.3% of total UK public sector expenditure, including a per capita share of UK debt interest payments. Scotland’s population is 8.4% of the UK total. • In cash terms in 2010/11, the relative difference in Scotland and the UK’s fiscal positions was equivalent to £2.7bn. This is equivalent to £510 for every man, woman and child in Scotland. • In December, the Social Attitudes Survey found that 65% of those questioned would support independence on the basis that they would be £500 better off with a higher standard of living. • Read the WSJ Market Watch articles here: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/making-scottish-independence-add-up-2012-05-02 http://www.marketwatch.com/story/snp-holds-cards-in-scottish-independence-vote-2012-05-02 |
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