UK Government reaction to GERS
Figures published today show that Scotland's deficit is more than three times higher than that of the UK as a whole
Reacting to the Scottish Government鈥檚 , published today,
Scottish Secretary David Mundell said:
These figures from the Scottish Government are a cause for concern, and show clearly there is still much to be done to improve Scotland鈥檚 economy.
They also highlight the value of pooling and sharing resources around the UK. Being part of a strong UK has protected our living standards, and that鈥檚 one reason the people of Scotland clearly rejected Nicola Sturgeon鈥檚 plan for a second independence referendum at the election.
Scotland鈥檚 deficit is falling at a slower rate than the UK as a whole and economic growth is lagging behind. It is vital we grow the economy and we want to work with the Scottish Government to achieve that.
We will continue to invest in Scotland, with new initiatives such as UK City Deals, which have already seen around 拢1 billon of UK Government money committed to Scotland. I would also urge the Scottish Government to use their significant economic levers 鈥� including on tax, skills and getting people into work - to improve Scotland鈥檚 economic future.
Key facts
At -8.3% of GDP (拢13.3 billion), Scotland鈥檚 deficit is more than three times higher than that of the UK as a whole (-2.4%).
Public spending per person in Scotland is more than 拢13,000, compared with 拢11,739 for the whole of the UK. Since 2012-13, public spending per person in Scotland has been significantly higher than the UK average.
Scotland鈥檚 borrowing per person is 拢2453, more than 拢1700 higher than the rest of the UK (拢704 per person).
Scotland contributed 8% of UK tax and received 9.2% of UK spending in 2016-17.
Scotland鈥檚 currently devolved tax revenues are up. This includes 拢4.6 billion from the Scottish Rate of Income Tax (SRIT), and raised a total of 拢10bn in 2016-17.
Scotland鈥檚 geographical share of North Sea revenues increased from 拢56m last year to 拢208m in 2016/17. [NB: UK-wide revenues were 拢84m in 2016/17. The reason for this discrepancy is due to the allocation of tax relief on petroleum relief tax-paying fields, 40% of which are based in English waters).
Non-North Sea revenue in Scotland grew by 6.1% in 2016-17, similar to that for the UK as a whole at 6.2%. This relatively strong growth is driven by increased national insurance contributions and corporation tax revenue.