The “union dividend” since Scots voted to remain part of the UK in 2014 has been worth almost £200 billion to the country, new analysis has revealed.
The difference between spending and expenditure puts Scotland in a stronger position every year.
The Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) report, published this week, revealed that the gap between what Scotland spent and raised was nearly £22.7 billion last year.
Now it has emerged that, since 2014/15, the total deficit amounts to £195.4 billion.
However, because Scotland voted to remain within Britain, the deficit doesn’t impact public services as the resources of the whole UK are pooled and shared.
Without the security of the union, a separate Scotland would be left to fill the black hole alone.
The figures highlighted again the importance of the union, and exposed the economic challenges posed by independence.
Scotland makes up 8.2 per cent of the UK population, but receives 9.1 per cent of UK public spending.
Alastair Cameron, chair of Scotland in Union, said:
“There are many reasons why we're still better together, and since 2014 GERS has highlighted the economic case for Scotland remaining secure in the UK.
“Thanks to the people of Scotland voting against the nationalists’ divisive and destructive plans, the union dividend since 2014 is now nearing £200 billion.
“The SNP has never been able to explain how it would plug that enormous gap.
“All parts of the UK benefit from the pooling and sharing of resources and, when it comes to revenue and spending, the boost to Scotland is clear.”
Below is the revenue, expenditure and deficit for each of the last 10 years:
2014/15 – Rev: £53.4 bn - Exp: £68.4bn - Gap: £15bn
2015/16 – Rev: £56.2bn - Exp: £72.6bn - Gap: £16.4bn
2016/17 – Rev £59.5bn - Exp: £75.7bn - Gap: £16.2bn
2017/18 – Rev £62.3bn - Exp: £77.4bn - Gap: £15.1bn
2018/19 – Rev £65.1bn - Exp: £79.5bn - Gap: £14.4bn
2019/20 – Rev £66.1bn - Exp: £82bn - Gap: £15.9bn
2020/21 – Rev £62.4bn - Exp: £100.3bn - Gap: £37.9bn
2021/22 – Rev: £73.1bn - Exp: £96.9bn - Gap: £23.8bn
2022/23 – Rev: £86.9bn - Exp: £104.9bn - Gap: £18bn
2023/24 – Rev: £88.5bn - Exp: £111.2bn - Gap: £22.7bn
10-year total – Rev: £673.5bn - Exp: £868.9bn - Gap: £195.4bn
To see the full GERS report, visit here.
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