THE TORIES and anti-independence campaigners Scotland in Union were accused of desperation yesterday, after they suggested Nicola Sturgeon was hiding from todays’s publication of the of the Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland figures (GERS).
The SNP leader will be in Shetland campaigning for next week’s by-election.
It will be the first time since becoming First Minister in November 2014, that Sturgeon has not been at the launch of a GERS report to answer questions from media.
At this morning’s event, due to take place in Midlothian, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay will respond to reporters.
READ MORE: The trouble with GERS – everything you need to know about today's figures
The Tory whip at the Scottish Parliament, Maurice Golden said: “Nicola Sturgeon has found plenty of time this summer for the Fringe and other celebrity circuits.
“Yet when critical issues such as the wellbeing of Scotland’s finances are to be revealed, she goes into hiding.”
Pamela Nash, chief executive of anti-independence campaign group Scotland in Union, said: “Nicola Sturgeon cannot dodge scrutiny of these official government figures. She must face up to the economic reality of an independent Scotland.
“That means answering questions on what public services she would cut and how much she would raise taxes by if Scotland leaves the UK.”
Labour MSP James Kelly accused the First Minister of being “in hiding”. He said: “Nicola Sturgeon is running scared from her own government’s statistics because she knows they will paint a bleak picture for life in an independent Scotland.”
“Her plan to dump the pound and impose unprecedented levels of austerity with the Cuts Commission would create economic chaos.”
A spokesperson for the First Minister hit back saying: “This is desperate stuff from Scotland in Union and the Tories, who sound more shrill and rattled with every day that passes.
“That’s because they know the tide is turning and they are losing the argument.
“Scotland has a strong economy, which is threatened by the Tories’ shambolic Brexit plans and the looming danger of a disastrous No-Deal outcome.”
Meanwhile, the Greens called on the Scottish Government to change its definition of economic success, and move away from relying on
“profits from the oil industry”. Last year, there was some improvement in the state of the public finances with the deficit falling from 8.9% to 7.9%, although this was still four times higher than the UK.
That reduction was largely due to an upturn in fortunes for the oil industry, with £1.3 billion in revenue added to the taxman’s coffers, up from £266 million the year before.
Harvie said: “While the discussion around these figures usually focuses on whether Scotland has a notional deficit or not, what GERS has consistently shown us is that Scotland’s definition of success still lives or dies by profits from the oil industry – a volatile and dwindling resource, the pursuit of which is damaging our way of life.
“Given most of the powers and revenue from fossil fuels is still held by Westminster, GERS is not an accurate portrayal of what an independent Scotland would look like, certainly not the kind of progressive European country the Scottish Greens are campaigning for.”
Last year, the GERS report revealed that Scotland’s public sector raised the equivalent of £11,052 per person last year – £306 per person less than the UK average.
Scotland’s expenditure per person was £13,530, which is £1576 per person higher than the UK average The Fraser of Allander Institute said there was likely to be no huge change in the figures this year.
In a blog, the Strathclyde University-based researchers said: “Scotland will have a larger estimated net fiscal deficit than the UK, although both figures are likely to improve compared to last year.
“GERS is likely to show that revenues raised in Scotland are less than the UK average (to the tune of around £500-600 per head): but that spending per head in Scotland is significantly above the UK average.”
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