Scotland would be in deficit even with oil?
18/06/09 10:23 Filed in: Granite
Chips
So, according to a UK
Government report, Scotland’s economy would still be in deficit
even with the oil and gas revenues from the North Sea.
The claim comes in a Scotland Office document which has been released to pre-empt the Scottish Government’s annual Government Revenue and Expenditure in Scotland (GERS) report due out later today. Scottish Government Finance Secretary John Swinney said: "These figures are plain wrong, and this is a joke report”.
I find the fact that the UK and Scottish Government are playing “ya boo” politics with such important issues, deeply disturbing.
I know the two governments have different politics and different ideals. But – as far as Scotland is concerned – I would have hoped they could show some consensus, rather than indulging in the politics of the playground.
Last year the GERS report showed Scotland having a surplus of £800 million with a geographical share of the oil and gas revenues from the North Sea.
So, who do you believe?
Difficult choice!
The claim comes in a Scotland Office document which has been released to pre-empt the Scottish Government’s annual Government Revenue and Expenditure in Scotland (GERS) report due out later today. Scottish Government Finance Secretary John Swinney said: "These figures are plain wrong, and this is a joke report”.
I find the fact that the UK and Scottish Government are playing “ya boo” politics with such important issues, deeply disturbing.
I know the two governments have different politics and different ideals. But – as far as Scotland is concerned – I would have hoped they could show some consensus, rather than indulging in the politics of the playground.
Last year the GERS report showed Scotland having a surplus of £800 million with a geographical share of the oil and gas revenues from the North Sea.
So, who do you believe?
- A government led by an oil industry economist (The First Minister of Scotland) who have a vested interest in presenting a rosy picture of the Scottish economy as part of their aim for Scottish independence?
- Or a UK Government led by a Cabinet, many of whom have resigned amid accusations of ‘cooking the books’ and manipulating the expenses system for their own financial benefit.
Difficult choice!