Independence is good for Business: International Trade
As an unequal partner in the United Kingdom, Scotland has no say over trade. Westminster sets trade policy and it does that in line with the needs of London and the south of England and with what the English people vote for.
This is detrimental to Scotland's economy, for Scottish business and for Scotland’s people. An independent country would be able to build on Scotland’s great resources and business culture to build prosperity and the wellbeing economy.
Independence is Good for Business - Energy
Last year, Scotland produced more renewable energy than the entire amount of electricity that the country used. Yet Scottish businesses and households are being charged extortionate energy bills.
This isn’t just an issue for individuals. High energy costs are a major burden on businesses across Scotland, from farms and food producers to manufacturers and tech firms. When energy bills are unpredictable or unaffordable, businesses lose their competitive edge, investment stalls, and jobs are put at risk.
Independence is Good for Business: Economic Policy
Scotland operates within a UK economic framework where the key levers of growth are firmly held in London. Monetary policy, borrowing powers, VAT, corporation tax, and industrial strategy are all reserved to Westminster. Scotland doesn’t have a central bank so interest rates are set in London too.
That means Scottish businesses operate under economic conditions not shaped in line with Scotland’s needs, but in response to what works for London and the South East, both politically and economically.
UK U-turn means Scots must continue to subsidise London’s energy
Scots are being swindled by UK energy policy. A fairer system that would have made electricity cheaper in Scotland - zonal pricing - could have fixed that. And it could have boosted Scotland’s economy - where businesses are constrained by having to pay the highest energy bills in the world. But the UK government has just ruled it out.
The UK energy secretary Ed Milliband eventually decided it was too politically difficult to make energy cheaper in Scotland, where more than a quarter of all the UK’s renewable energy is produced, than in London and the south of England.
Scotland is an Economic Powerhouse 3 - Innovation
In the past, Unionist parties and their media mouthpieces have managed to convince many Scots that Scotland was too wee and too poor to be a successful independent country such as Norway, Denmark, Ireland etc. But Scots are beginning to see through the propaganda and realise that The Union is holding Scotland’s growth and wellbeing back.
Scotland is an Economic Powerhouse 2: Energy
Scotland has a naturally strong economy, strong enough to even survive the constant undermining by the failing UK. Scotland will thrive and do even better once it has the powers of an independent nation and can make the most of its potential and use that to boost Scotland’s social and economic wellbeing.
Scotland is a powerhouse 1: Food and Drink
Scotland has a naturally strong economy even when held back by the failing UK. Scotland will thrive and do even better when it can make the most of its potential and use that to benefit Scotland’s people.
In the past, Unionist parties and their media mouthpieces have managed to convince many Scots that Scotland was too wee and too poor to be a successful independent country like Norway, Denmark, Ireland etc. But Scots are beginning to see through the propaganda.
UK spending review ignores Scotland's different priorities
Westminster decides how to run the UK economy - regardless of Scotland’s priorities. That was the message of Rachel Reeves' spending review.
Instead of properly funding the just transition to renewables, the UK is pouring billions into the most expensive form of energy there is - nuclear.
Scotland can’t afford the UK government’s ideological immigration policy
The UK government under Keir Starmer has announced sweeping changes to immigration rules that will damage Scotland.
There is a level of immigration that is functional, supportive and necessary for any country. Whereas it is true that not all immigration is positive, it is also equally true that not all immigration is negative. Scotland has specific skilled and unskilled migrant worker needs, so should be able to set its own rules in line with the nation's wellbeing.
Risky trade deals with US and India no substitute for EU membership
Two trade deals this week with India and the US carry risks for Scotland - but the Scottish government has had no say and was not even informed or consulted on the US deal. It had some involvement in the India deal but ultimately no say over the agreement. That picture would be very different for an independent Scotland in the EU where it would have a seat at the top table, the Council of Ministers.