Leaving the UK would hit the Scottish economy harder than Brexit and joining the EU would make little difference, according to a new report.
The London School of Economics (LSE) study shows that the economic damage would be the equivalent of an income loss of between £2,000 and £2,800 per person.
The analysis shows that the economic costs of independence are two or three times greater than Brexit due to the volume of Scotland’s trade with the rest of the UK.
And the expert report said the losses from breaking up the UK are similar regardless of whether an independent Scotland joined the EU or maintained a common market with the UK.
Pamela Nash, chief executive of Scotland in Union, said:
“This devastating report exposes the economic damage the SNP wants to inflict on people with its negative vision for Scotland’s future.
“Leaving the UK would take money away from vital public services like the NHS and schools for the sake of a border with England.
“That would be unforgiveable at any time, let alone in the difficult years ahead as we recover from the pandemic.
“And this report confirms that even if a separate Scotland joined the EU, the negative impact of leaving the UK would be far worse because we trade far more with the rest of the UK.
“Remaining in the UK means we not only avoid building a trade barrier with our largest market; it means we don’t build a border between friends and families.
“We are stronger together as part of the UK, ensuring we can rebuild our country together.”
You can read the publication in full here.