SCOTLAND is set for slow GDP growth and population decline over the next 50 years under the current constitutional set-up, according to new figures.
The independent Scottish Fiscal Commission (SFC) found that Scotland would see growth of 0.9% per year between 2028-29 and 2071-72, compared to overall UK growth of 1.4% during the same period.
The population is also expected to drop by as much as 900,000 people, a whopping 16% decline on the current figure.
Scotland’s labour force could also suffer, with the proportion of the population aged from 16-64 projected to drop by eight percentage points by 2072 – compared to six percentage points for the whole UK.
Professor Graeme Roy, the SFC chair who will deliver a full fiscal sustainability report in 2023, said the demographic pressures facing Scotland are “particularly acute”.
“Politicians and those delivering public services will need to consider how to respond to these future fiscal pressures,” he added.
The SNP and Greens have been contacted for comment.
"The cost of remaining in the Union"
SNP MSP Michelle Thomson said the projections show the reality of Scotland existing "under Westminster control".
"Whilst Northern Ireland's economy reaches a 15 year high as a part of the world's largest single market, Scotland is being left to suffer the impact of Westminster and its damaging Brexit obsession - leading to a predicted 50 years of economic decline and stagnation for Scotland, despite Scots overwhelmingly voting to remain in the EU and the single market," she said.
Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer told The National that the data shows Scotland is being "held back by a cruel and incompetent Tory government"
"After 12 years of cuts and austerity, and with a future of runaway inflation and skyrocketing bills, we can't afford any more Tory mismanagement," he said.
"Things don't have to be like this. We're exhausting the limited powers afforded to us by devolution, such as the doubling of the Scottish Child Payment and the expansion of the Living Wage to all government contracts, but the biggest economic levers still sit at Westminster.
"With the powers of independence we can do things differently. We could raise the minimum wage, regulate energy prices, introduce a real windfall tax on corporate profits and so much more."
Meanwhile according to Alba, the data shows the “cost of remaining in the Union” – and that this not a set-up Scotland can afford.
“On population, independent Ireland projects growth of one million additional people by 2050,” said party general secretary Chris McEleny.
“Ireland also shows Scotland an example of the potential of independence in the Brexit Britain age.
“There are some 32 additional ferry routes now taking goods to Europe directly from Ireland that bypass the UK mainland. This has seen an extraordinary boom in Ireland’s trade and economy.”
The former councillor went on: “With control of our own resources through independence Scotland could realistically aim to be a world top 10 economy. Under the Union the future is impoverishment, inequality and destitution.”
