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Scotland. UK. 10 Myths. 10 Facts.

What would happen to Scotland if we became independent? Read the myths, and realities, of the Scottish independence debate.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
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1. Myth: Our global relationships wont change

Hot air balloons

Fact: Scotland would be a new country. We wouldnt inherit all the international deals the UK has struck over many years, decades, and even centuries (everything from extradition and trade treaties to the International Declaration Prohibiting the Discharge of Projectiles and Explosives from Balloons). So wed have to start from scratch, negotiating to join everything from the UN to Nato.

Source: Scotland analysis: devolution and the implications of Scottish independence, February 2013

2. Myth: Well still play the National Lottery and share much-loved national institutions with the UK

National Lottery ticket

Fact: Its called the National Lottery not the International Lottery. You cant buy a ticket in France, so why would it run in an independent Scotland? The same goes for everything from the Met Office to the benefits system. Wed have to spend millions setting up new institutions.

Source: Scotland analysis: devolution and the implications of Scottish independence, February 2013

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3. Myth: Well be an EU member (and inherit the same terms and conditions that the UK currently enjoys)

EU flag

Fact: Wed have to apply as a new state and negotiate entry its hard to imagine it would be an easy process (look at how long it took Croatia to join - almost eight years), and even harder to imagine that wed be given advantageous terms (like the UK rebate or opt-outs, including from the Euro).

Source: Scotland analysis: EU and international issues, January 2014

4. Myth: Well keep the UK pound

Cash

Fact: Labour, Conservatives and Lib Dems have all made clear if we leave the UK well also leave the UK pound. A currency union would not work for Scotland or the rest of the UK it will not happen.

Sources: Scotland analysis: currency and monetary policy, April 2013, Scotland analysis: assessment of a sterling currency union, February 2014

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5. Myth: We wouldnt have to bailout our banks international investors bailed them out before

Piggy bank

Fact: During the last crisis the UK taxpayer shelled out 贈66 billion to bail out the banks more than 贈1,000 for every man, woman and child in the UK. Including guarantees, UK taxpayers gave more than 贈320 billion of support to Royal Bank of Scotland alone. Could we really afford these sorts of sums on our own?

Source: Scotland analysis: financial services and banking, May 2013

6. Myth: The answers are in the independence white paper and it all adds up

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Fact: The white paper does not answer the key questions. Many of the independence plans, for example on currency and EU membership, are in the hands of foreign governments who would be acting in the interests of their own citizens ahead of Scotlands. And the white paper does not add up - the plans to cut taxes and extend childcare need 贈1.6 billion of additional funding.

Source: Unfunded commitments in Scotlands future HM Treasury, December 2013

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7. Myth: There would be tax cuts and more spending in an independent Scotland

Tax definition in dictionary

Fact: Scotland spent 贈12 billion more than it raised in taxes last year (thats from the Scottish Governments own figures, including North Sea revenues). So its hard to see how wed be able cut corporation tax and air passenger duty on one hand but still spend more on benefits and create an oil fund on the other.

Source: (GERS), Scottish Government; March 2014

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8. Myth: Westminster wont devolve more powers

M90 motorway

Fact: More powers were devolved in the Scotland Act 2012 (the largest devolution of tax powers in the UKs history). As a result we now set even more of our own laws, from motorway speed limits to regulating air weapons. Plus, all 3 main UK parties have promised more powers will be devolved in future.

Source:

9. Myth: You cant trust unionists, theyre just negative

Dolly the sheep

Fact: The union has been a huge success story (from joint sporting glory to the amazing scientific collaborations that created Dolly the sheep!) for more than 300 years thats why the rest of the UK doesnt want us to leave.

10. Myth: Remaining North Sea oil and gas is worth 贈1.5 trillion - and at least 贈6.8 billion in Scottish tax revenues in first year of independence

Oil rig

Fact: The Scottish Government assumes that oil and gas can be produced at zero costs (so rigs and pipelines can be built and run for free, and oil workers dont need to be paid), despite the remaining oil being further off-shore and deeper under the ocean, so it costs more to extract. Over the last 2 years, taxes from the North Sea have been 贈3 billion below the Scottish Governments most pessimistic forecast thats the same as our entire education budget.

Sources: , Scottish Government, March 2013, Statistics of Government revenues from UK oil and gas production, HMRC, April 2014

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Published 6 May 2014