LEADING ECONOMISTS ADVOCATE FISCAL AUTONOMY

LEADING ECONOMISTS ADVOCATE FISCAL AUTONOMY

'SCOTLAND STANDS ON FIRM ECONOMIC FOOTING'

Member of the Scottish Parliament Finance Committee Joe FitzPatrick MSP
has welcomed the publication of a book by leading economists Ronald
MacDonald and Paul Hallwood which calls for the Scottish Government to be
given cotrol over taxation.

Commenting, Mr FitzPatrick said:

"This is an extremely welcome publication from experts in the field
recommending fiscal autonomy for Scotland. The UK Government’s cuts make
it essential that Scotland is responsible for all tax and spending,
including North Sea revenues.

“The latest GERS report shows Scotland with a current budget surplus of
£219 million, or 0.2 per cent of GDP – compared with a UK deficit of £5.3
billion, or 0.4 per cent of GDP.

“Scotland stands on a firm financial footing – stronger than the UK as a
whole – and full fiscal autonomy and independence are the key to a
flourishing and economically successful Scotland.”