Can Scotland afford to be independent?

摘要

There has been little media coverage south of the border of next year's referendum on Scottish independence despite its immense implications for the rest of the UK. In Scotland needless to say it is scarcely out the news and the current debate is raging round whether an independent Scotland would be able to fund its public services. The latest row was fuelled by a leak last week to the Scottish media of a paper from Scottish finance minister John Swin-ney, warning of a £28m black hole and cuts to pensions and welfare should Scotland become independent. Even though the report is a year old, it was highly damaging to the SNP which has long been arguing that once Scotland gets its hands on its oil it will be jam tomorrow.