The SNP has been accused of trying to 'con voters’ after highlighting the importance of exports to the EU – but failing to mention the far larger export market to the rest of the UK.
The Scottish Government has hailed new HMRC figures showing the value of Scotland’s total annual goods exports increased to £34billion in the year ending June 30, claiming ‘more than half of our goods exports are to the EU [£17.3billion], showing the importance of this market’.
But the Scottish Government’s most recent figures for Scottish exports to the rest of the UK for 2017 showed an increase of 4.6 per cent to £48.9billion – around 60 per cent of all exports.
The Government’s press release fails to mention the UK market.
Pamela Nash, chief executive of Scotland in Union, said:
“The increase in international trade is hugely welcome for Scotland’s economy, demonstrating the popularity of our exports in the EU and across the globe.
“But the SNP is guilty of shameless spin by completely failing to mention the vital UK market, which accounts for around 60 per cent of all exports for Scotland. This is an attempt to con voters.
“If by ‘leaving the European Union we risk irreparably damaging’ that economic relationship, as the SNP states, the same argument is true for the home market which is far more important for our economy.
“The very last thing our economy needs is more constitutional chaos. We are stronger together in the UK. Nicola Sturgeon should drop her threat of a divisive second independence referendum and concentrate on building a successful economic future as part of the UK.”
Further reading:
New HMRC figures highlighted in Scottish Government news release: https://www.gov.scot/news/europe-buys-50-percent-of-scottish-goods/
Scottish Government figures showing exports to the rest of the UK: https://www.gov.scot/news/scotlands-exports-increase-1/
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