Thanks to the Yes Campaign for Scottish Independence firing their sorties into the Westminster government, it has become official that Scotland has been holding up the British economy for years, serving as the only economically sound area of the country outside of London.
Glasgow and Edinburgh have been overtaking the financial services in cities south of the border since devolution; Glasgow has become a cultural superhub for the nation, often being preferred by artists for its down-to-Earth atmosphere and energetic crowds; Edinburgh is vastly becoming the next London, with more companies setting up practices in the city than any other area outside of London, and certainly coming close to the top hot-shot areas of Europe.
Scotland's success economically has been down to devolution of both government and Scot's law -- everything Holyrood does, Westminster quickly copies: initiatives to enforce stricter regulation on smoking, cheap drinking, gay marriage and a better standard of life for the common man.
Why has Scotland become so popular as a business and cultural centre for Europe? Culture.
Scotland has a very common culture throughout the country where business meets home-roots; the difference between wealth in Scotland is astonishing at times, where many Scottish business owners actively engage in charitable work or making their home towns better to be. Scotland's cities have a mix of simple heritage, and are surrounded by hundreds of natural retreats which is often seen as a massive plus for those looking to invest without being trapped to the urban landscape.
Here's the most common myths about the Scottish economy:
-------------
Scotland freeloads off the English
-------------
The Scottish Government has ensured a socialist policy of supply the needs of Scottish citizens, with many services being preserved which the English have lost:
- Free education, abolished by the Conservative government
- Education Allowance, abolished by the Conservative government
- Fully public NHS, Labour and Conservative both introduced private elements to the NHS in England and Wales
- Eye health care allowances, slowly being abolished by the Conservative goverment
- Bedroom tax, the Scottish Government has officially given orders for evictions to be suspended
- A freeze in Council Tax, maintained by the Scottish Government to prevent local authorities from raising their band prices
To name a few, but the few ignite a hatred in the English towards freeloading Scots who use their taxes to fund free stuff.
I think the English may forget that the Scottish pay taxes too, to which the Scottish Government used to ensure a fair and equal spread of wealth, even if indirect via services such as education and health.
Scotland has a smaller population with large percentages living in the primary cities of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Stirling and Aberdeen. City life of the population effectively allows for services to be cost proficient rather than the population being spread mostly in smaller rural areas where access to large cities is hours away, such is the case in England.
Consider that 94% of North Sea Reserves are recognized as being part of the Scottish coat line under International Law; this accounts for a significant income to the British economy, including an extensive level of investment to the Island which is not accounted for in the North Sea Reserves Revenue Review.
In terms of energy, Scotland currently leads Europe and comes close to leading the world in renewable, substantially and ecologically stable power due to the nature of the Scottish pseudo-Antarctic coast-line which has potential for hydro and wind energy, which could ultimately provide an unlimited source of financially cost friendly energy as technology develops.
According to the Department for Work and Pensions, Scotland is below the national average of unemployment, with just about 7% unemployment rate compared to the 7.8% national average of the UK.
Historically, Scotland was the powerhouse of the UK for many, many industries, most notably textiles, ship building and natural resources; along with science and moral enlightenment, it is safe to assure the English that Scotland has given its fair share to the Island, if not above.
Scotland is also ahead of the UK in economic growth, reports from both the Scottish Government and Westminster show:
"Scotland has 8.4% of the UK population, but generates 9.9% (£56.9bn) of its tax revenues, receiving 9.3% (£64.5bn) of spending back from Westminster. Although currently running a budget deficit, it is considerably smaller than that of the United Kingdom's as a whole, and over the past thirty years, Scotland has generated a budget surplus of almost £20billion to the UK economy. The Scottish unemployment rate currently stands at 7.1% as of June 2013, which is well below the UK figure of 7.8%. Scotland's youth unemployment rate is also much lower, standing at 15.2% compared to 19.5% for the rest of the UK. The employment rate is higher north of the border as well, standing at 72.2% in comparison to the UK figure of 71.5%"
Scotland also leads in science, thanks to all that 'useless' free education, with Scottish universities and projects being some of the highest recognized in the worst; Scotland is currently referred as the leader of bio-chemical research in Europe, and the world aside from the USA, with it's ecological sciences booming thanks to the research into green energy.
Estimated to the value of the Scottish economy would be substantially higher when considering the trade tax, revenues from Scottish businesses which go straight to London, and the many other industries labeled as British despite only having a increasing investment in Scotland.
Everything that Scotland has for free is funded by the Scottish people.
-------------
Scotland Politics: The sensible choice
-------------
In no short way thanks to devolution, corrupt politicians and people being subjected to the greed of their elected officials is, if not completely, become a thing of the past.
The Scottish Government doesn't care what happened outside of Scotland, that's an important difference between the mentality of Westminster and Holyrood; where the British government would rather hold on the imperial forces, Scotland recognizes that it belongs to a wider community of nations, both in Europe and throughout the world.
Scots Law evolved incredibly quickly as the people of Scotland have more say in the running of their government. Scotland was introducing same-sex marriage before it was even on the table for Westminster, as is the case for restrictions of alcohol and tobacco sales.
Scots are known for our strong nature, and nothing has changed. We maintain the clan mentality of town vs. town, Edinburgh vs. Glasgow, but dear god, should you ever insult us as a nation, or our people, then we will united and use everything we collectively have to crush you. We have pride, without it being arrogance, we know our limits and we are happy to live within them.
Scotland is more European and British in political influence: we share the same socialist/capitalist mix as European countries such as Sweden, Norway, France and the Netherlands. It's not a bad thing, if anything it's deal - take money from the wealthy businesses to fund progressive advancements and free essential items; business can still make money while the people are able to enjoy a better standard of life.
Local authorities are also more accountable as the Scottish government has made it very clear, and will be introducing legislation later this year, to ensure that community groups have the authority and resources to maintain services and hold their councils to accountability.
-------------
London Syndrome
-------------
If the English want to know who the true freeloaders are then they should look to London, not just the Parliament there, but the entire city.
The city reeks of corruption.
The problem with the UK is that most investment goes to large cities, in Scotland this is less of a problem due to the closeness of cities to many rural areas. I, myself, have never had a job in my home town of Barrhead, but instead have either commuted to Paisley or Glasgow, both of which are less than 30 minutes away. Edinbirgh is across the country but is still only an hour's train journey.
Everything goes to London and the rest of the UK is forgotten and left to fend for itself.
I plead the English to stop casting blame on us Scots, we didn't chose to have a Conservative government, that was all you. LITERALLY, we have 1 Conservative MP.
Blame the British Government, try to become independence, strive to have your own parliament which is just for England, and then you will enjoy what we have.
London has been a leach for all nations in this country for 40 years now, it's time to end it and spread investment, and stop the London Syndrome of greed and putting business about your countrymen.
Excellent Robert,
ReplyDeleteA very good piece! All these insults have been fired at us for years, the media are a disgrace down south that they don't clarify the situation and are quite happy the lies are still believed. Its all coming home to roost for the UkGov and union media...when we are Independent....how do they explain to the English people why instead of being better off without the Scottish scroungers/parasites but actually much much worse off eh!
ReplyDelete