"This deficit, more accurately described as ‘notional’ by the Fraser of Allan Institute, is based on the GERS figures. These figures were specifically developed in the 1990s to counter the case for independence. They are almost all estimates. No one knows what the Scottish Government’s tax revenue would be. They include the cost of debt due to the UK’s trade imbalance over decades despite Scotland’s longstanding trade surplus. They include the cost of Trident, aircraft carriers and cruise missiles, we would never need or want to have. The data is manipulated to suggest Scotland is less viable than the other parts of the UK. See Prof Richard Murphy’s demolition of the case..."
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