Politics

SNP accused of plot to ‘make up’ economic figures to boost Scottish independence campaign


Derek Mackay, the SNP’s finance minister, said he was frustrated with official figures produced by the annual Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS). Last year, the data put Scotland’s deficit at £12.6bn, or seven percent of GDP – seven times higher than the UK as a whole. Mr Mackay argued that the dismal figures reflected the state of Scotland’s finances now and not after it has won independence from Britain.

He spoke of his plans to publish another package, exploring how the financial health of Scotland could be improved it it were free to rule itself.

Speaking to Holyrood magazine, Mr Mackay said he feels “frustrated when the GERS figures are published every year”.

While he acknowledged the figures were “published by statisticians who are impartial” he said “it is notional estimates of Scotland in the current constitutional position”.

He said the SNP “should publish an equivalent analysis of what we could do with independence as we published the GERS figures, so that I can say, ‘OK, here’s the analysis of where people think we are right now as part of this system and here’s an even better picture of what we think we can do with the powers of independence”.

He continued: “I will publish that assessment next time we publish the GERS figures because I’m so convinced with the economic argument of Scotland.

“I think it needs the exposure it deserves, rather than the usual knockabout that Scotland’s too poor, too wee to be independent, we’ve absolutely got what it takes.”

Conservative MSP Liam Kerr ridiculed Mr Mackay’s plans.

He tweeted: “Not keen on official figures from respected statisticians? Don’t worry – the finance secretary will make some up!”

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon nightmare: SNP set for disaster and collapse in 2020

The war of words comes as the SNP’s Westminster leader, Ian Blackford, issued a stinging attack on Boris Johnson at Prime Minister’s Questions this afternoon.

He accused Mr Johnson of not caring about keeping the United Kingdom together after Brexit.

He said: “The truth is the only union this Prime Minister is truly interested in is his union with Donald Trump.”

The SNP later tweeted Mr Johnson had “shown utter contempt for Scottish democracy & for Scotland’s people.”

Their harsh words came a day after the UK Government formally rejected Nicola Sturgeon’s call for a second referendum on Scottish independence.

Mr Johnson’s cited the SNP leader’s previous comments that the 2014 indeyref would be a “once in a generation” vote.

Ms Sturgeon responded by saying the Conservative Party are “terrified of Scotland having the right to choose our own future”.

She claimed their position was “self-defeating” because they were fuelling a desire among Scots to break ties with the Union.



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