The Scottish Politics thread

[west didsblue]

Please give the Scots the referendum they want, if they want out of the Union then so be it, will be a shame but at least Nichola will get her wish to take the Scottish people to oblivion.

While Boris takes the rest of us.

 

[Mazzarelli's Swiss Cheese]

https://www.scotfact.com/towards-an-english-gers

There may be later data than this, comparing other regions of the UK with N Ireland, Wales and Scotland, but I suspect the relationships will be similar:-

Regional Revenue and Expenditure 2017-2018 Per Head (£)​

Region	Revenue per Head​	Expenditure per Head​
United Kingdom​	11,454.0​	12,090.1​
North East​	8,937.6​	12,604.3​
North West​	9,451.8​	12,335.9​
Yorkshire and the Humber​	9,415.9​	11,579.5​
East Midlands​	9,882.7​	11,145.8​
West Midlands​	9,308.0​	11,582.2​
East of England​	11,935.9​	10,969.9​
London​	17,090.0​	13,184.7​
South East​	13,426.8​	11,168.6​
South West​	10,685.0​	11,552.7​
England​	11,705.5​	11,807.6​
Wales​	8,690.5​	13,085.4​
Scotland​	11,229.8​	13,681.8​
Northern Ireland​	9,255.4​	14,194.5​

REGIONAL REVENUE & EXPENDITURE
COMPARISON 2017-18​

Those figures are something Sturgeon needs to explain away. At present her good governance appears to be based upon spending like a drunken sailor which is sustained by Westminster. I'm pretty sure that if we scratch much below the surface of SNP economic policy, the almost 2k per head increase in revenue they need to achieve will be based upon the miraculous recovery of oil prices beyond even historic highs. Easy to offer No tuition fees, no prescription charges, no dentistry charges, free care for the elderly, free hospital parking, frozen council tax if someone else is paying for it.

 

[Saddleworth2]

Those figures are something Sturgeon needs to explain away. At present her good governance appears to be based upon spending like a drunken sailor which is sustained by Westminster. I'm pretty sure that if we scratch much below the surface of SNP economic policy, the almost 2k per head increase in revenue they need to achieve will be based upon the miraculous recovery of oil prices beyond even historic highs. Easy to offer No tuition fees, no prescription charges, no dentistry charges, free care for the elderly, free hospital parking, frozen council tax if someone else is paying for it.

read the SGC report if you truly want to know the current view rather than play Scottish Economy bingo. you will see that Oil or oil prices are not used as a way to fill deficits.

 

[blueinsa]

read the SGC report if you truly want to know the current view rather than play Scottish Economy bingo. you will see that Oil or oil prices are not used as a way to fill deficits.

Regardless, Independence if/when it comes and im now of the opinion it is coming will be a financial shock and the perks up here, free prescriptions, free university etc will be some of the first things to go.

The Scottish public just needs to be aware that independance will have to be paid for and the bill wont be being shared around the rest of the UK.

 

[Saddleworth2]

Regardless, Independence if/when it comes and im now of the opinion it is coming will be a financial shock and the perks up here, free prescriptions, free university etc will be some of the first things to go.

The Scottish public just needs to be aware that independance will have to be paid for and the bill wont be being shared around the rest of the UK.

I agree. The SGC report recognises that these tough choices will need to be made. That’s why I wish those That seek to comment on the post independence Scottish economy would at least do a little research.

 

[Ancient Citizen]

Has Sturgeon just introduced a referendum bill?
If so, and it gets accepted up there, then give them the referendum they appear to want in ever increasing numbers. Then, all the Scottish deficit problems, their attempt to join the EU, their share of debt, the ending of Barnett, will all be on her shoulders. The Scots will no longer need to carp about England, and best of all, we won't be seeing the Tartan tied Slimming World avoider and his unlovely ranting crew giving us Mel Gibson speeches in the Commons ad nauseum.

 

[blueinsa]

I agree. The SGC report recognises that these tough choices will need to be made. That’s why I wish those That seek to comment on the post independence Scottish economy would at least do a little research.

The issue the SNP will have is a society with very clear left wing policy in place, free prescriptions, free uni etc will suddenly veer to the right as we are told we now have to pay. Now is the time for complete honesty from Nicola. Scots are not stupid, they know full well changes financially will be big but the SNP have to be open and honest about it from the start.

 

[Mazzarelli's Swiss Cheese]

The issue the SNP will have is a society with very clear left wing policy in place, free prescriptions, free uni etc will suddenly veer to the right as we are told we now have to pay. Now is the time for complete honesty from Nicola. Scots are not stupid, they know full well changes financially will be big but the SNP have to be open and honest about it from the start.

Possibly a case for trimming the perks now as it appears the rest of the UK is paying for them. I suppose through it is far from the only subsidised region and we are all free to live there if we wish.

 

[blueinsa]

Possibly a case for trimming the perks now as it appears the rest of the UK is paying for them. I suppose through it is far from the only subsidised region and we are all free to live there if we wish.

An Independent Scotland needs tax payers, lots of them and more than what they currently have, hence their very pro and welcoming immigration stance and no doubt future policy. At current levels of population i don't see them being able to afford the current policies of free prescriptions, parking, university so a dialogue has to be opened pre any ref as to what the actual costs will be and people can then make a choice.

Nicola seems to be open and honest on most things as far as i can see but this cornerstone policy, independance still sees as far as i am concerned a lot of bluster and not many facts being laid out.

 

[Mazzarelli's Swiss Cheese]

An Independent Scotland needs tax payers, lots of them and more than what they currently have, hence their very pro and welcoming immigration stance and no doubt future policy. At current levels of population i don't see them being able to afford the current policies of free prescriptions, parking, university so a dialogue has to be opened pre any ref as to what the actual costs will be and people can then make a choice.

Nicola seems to be open and honest on most things as far as i can see but this cornerstone policy, independance still sees as far as i am concerned a lot of bluster and not many facts being laid out.

I've not seen the sgc report Saddleworth referenced which apparently deals with this? It does seem that the general SNP rhetoric is a little light on these facts, particularly as they are so willing to espouse similar issues arising from leaving the EU.