THE SNP have said independence is essential to secure a strong, fair and equal recovery from Covid – as new analysis reveals the UK has had the weakest economic recovery of any country in northwest Europe since the 2008 financial crash.
An analysis from the House of Commons Library, using IMF data, reveals the UK had the lowest growth in GDP per capita of any country in north west Europe between 2009 and 2021, at just 5.8% (+£1709) – and, 13 years on from the financial crash, the it continues to have the lowest wealth per head of any country in northwest Europe too.
The UK’s weak economic recovery stands in stark contrast to Ireland, which has seen a massive increase in GDP per capita of 37.8% (+£28,200) – six and a half times that of the UK, over the same period.
On average, independent countries of Scotland’s size or smaller have seen an average increase in GDP per capita of +20.6% (+£9440) – an increase of three and a half times that of the UK.
The UK’s slow recovery has lagged behind all 13 neighbouring countries – with growth in GDP per capita running at around half the average of +10.8% (+£3714).
In addition to Ireland, the UK has also fallen behind Luxembourg (+15%, £6390), Germany (+13.9%, £5181), Denmark (+13.7%, £5114), Sweden (+11.8%, £4303), Switzerland (+11.6%, £4192), Iceland (+10.9%, £3848), The Netherlands (+9.9%, £3302), Norway (+9.6%, £3099), Finland (+8.4%, £2709), Belgium (+6.9%, £2237), France (+7.1%, £2221), and Austria (+6.9%, £2110).
READ MORE: These are the leading Unionist economists railing against independence
Alison Thewliss said a cumulation of damaging decisions at Westminster since 2008 had harmed the economic recovery, including a decade of Tory and Labour austerity cuts and Brexit.
The SNP shadow chancellor warned the UK Government was making the same mistakes again – leaving Scotland’s Covid recovery vulnerable under Westminster control.
She said: “It is essential that Scotland becomes an independent country, with the full powers and levers needed to secure a strong, fair and equal recovery from Covid.
“A decade of damaging Tory austerity cuts, the self-sabotage of Brexit, and weak economic growth has shown that Westminster cannot be trusted to deliver the strong recovery we need.
“Under Westminster control, the UK has lagged behind since the 2008 financial crash with the weakest recovery of any country in north west Europe and the lowest wealth per head.
“Instead of learning lessons, the Tories are making the same mistakes all over again by slashing Universal Credit for six million families, imposing a public sector pay freeze, and damaging the economy with a hard Brexit. Independence is the only way to keep Scotland safe,” the Glasgow Central MP added.
“The evidence shows that independent countries of Scotland’s size or smaller do better – and with the full powers of independence Scotland would be able to boost our economy and secure a stronger recovery, instead of being held back by damaging decisions made at Westminster.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has pledged to hold a second independence referendum by 2024 so long as the coronavirus pandemic has passed.
The SNP will be debating a resolution on independence at the party’s online conference next month.
An amendment to the motion urges the party to specify how ministers will define when the pandemic has passed.
Activists who drew up the amendment have suggested it could be understood as a period of a month when all of Scotland is on Level 0 or “beyond Level 0” restrictions.
Scotland moved on to Level 0 of the Scottish Government’s framework to curb the vaccine on August 19.
However, yesterday the country recorded more than 5000 cases of the virus for the first time since the pandemic started in March last year.
At her briefing on Tuesday, Sturgeon said she could not completely rule out reimposing restrictions and warned virus figures were likely to rise further, meaning voters may have to wait longer for a referendum announcement.
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