NEW RESEARCH SHOWS LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN SCOTLAND ARE LOSING OUT BEING PART OF THE UNITED KINGDOM

Midlothian Council is losing out on £2,626 and respectively, East Lothian Council is losing out on £2,563 from its GDP as a result of being part of the United Kingdom when production is compared with Scotland’s neighbours in north west Europe.

New research by the House of Commons Library shows the UK’s GDP is 12% lower than the average in north west Europe, making it worse off than countries such as Ireland, Finland and Denmark.

Currently, Midlothian Council produces £21,130 and East Lothian Council produces £20,624 but applying the 12% GDP gap, Midlothian Council could produce £23,756 and East Lothian Council could produce £23,187, if Scotland was an independent country capable of fulfilling its potential like other small European nations.

Commenting, Colin Beattie said:
“These stats are a damning indictment of Scotland’s position within the UK and just like Midlothian and East Lothian, every local authority in Scotland has a lower production level compared with countries in North West Europe that are of a similar population size to Scotland.

“Councils across Scotland, including Midlothian and East Lothian, are being held back by the UK and these stats demonstrate that. The only way Scotland can realise its full potential is by becoming an independent country.
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“As small independent countries continue to flourish, Scotland cannot be left behind. We cannot trust the Tories to protect Scotland, the only way to do that is by becoming an independent country.”