Building a new Scotland: a stronger economy with independence - easy read

Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence - Easy Read Version

The Scottish Government believes Scotland can be better if it becomes independent.

This paper is a short easy read version of the plans for a stronger economy with independence. You can view the full paper and supporting evidence here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/building-new-scotland-stronger-economy-independence/

At the back of this paper there is a list of words and what they mean.

When the words appear in the paper you will see them in bold.

The Scottish Government believes that the way the United Kingdom (UK) Government manages the economy is not working for Scotland.

The UK economy has not created wealth as well as many other independent European countries.

The UK economy has concentrated wealth in London and the South-East of England.

The Scottish Government believes this means other parts of the UK are not as wealthy as they could be. This includes Scotland.

The Scottish Government wants to use the powers of independence to build a fairer and better economy.

Most voters in Scotland wanted to stay in the European Union (EU).

The Scottish Government could not stop Brexit.

Brexit has made it harder to trade and for people to come to work in Scotland.

In the future, Brexit could keep having a negative impact on Scotland.

There is evidence that many other independent European countries – comparable to Scotland - are happier, richer and fairer than the UK.

These countries are similar to Scotland and are very successful.

Scotland has the skills, people, resources and businesses to be as successful as them.

Scotland’s economy has many strengths to build on.

Scotland has a lot of natural resources,

including a lot of potential for producing renewable energy.

Scotland has a lot of people who are highly educated and skilled.

Scotland’s economy is strong, partly because:

• food and drink, like whisky and salmon, are very popular across the world
• we have lots of renewable energy potential from things like wind power
• lots of tourists come to Scotland for holidays

The Scottish Government believes our economy would do better if we were independent.

The Scottish Government has a plan for Scotland becoming independent.

When it is the right time, Scotland would have an independent currency, the Scottish pound.

Until then we would keep using sterling for:

• buying things
• getting paid
• pensions

Scotland would have a new independent Scottish Central Bank.

The Scottish Central Bank would advise the Scottish Parliament on the right time to start using the Scottish pound.

The Scottish Parliament would take the final decision to do this.

The Scottish Central Bank would manage the new currency.

An independent Scotland would take a responsible approach to managing Scotland’s public finances.

Scotland would agree to pay a share of the UK debt.

If Scotland becomes independent, the Scottish Government would build a new fund of up to £20 billion.

It would be built up with money from different sources, including oil and gas.

The fund would be used in the first 10 years of independence on building things to keep the country running well.

These include projects that:

• help to reduce climate change
• help our economy to grow in a fairer way
• build houses that more people can afford

The Scottish Government wants to apply to re-join the European Union (EU).

EU membership would mean people could work live and travel freely in the EU again.

Scotland would also continue to be part of something called the Common Travel Area.

This would mean people in Scotland could move freely in:

• The UK
• Ireland
• The Channel Islands
• The Isle of Man

Being part of the EU again would make it easier for Scottish businesses to trade with Europe. It would also help to create jobs and wealth.

Being a member means we could be involved in existing and new trade deals.

Checks on some goods would happen between Scotland and the UK.

Checks would not happen between Scotland and the other 27 member countries.

Because of Brexit there are already some checks on goods going between the UK and Northern Ireland.

Being part of the EU again would mean we would not need as many checks on goods going between Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The Scottish Government would take action to make sure this works smoothly.

Scotland’s renewable energy is important to our future economy.

If managed well, we would have low-cost energy produced from our natural resources for our homes and businesses.

Energy from our offshore windfarms could supply energy for Scotland.

It could also be sold to the UK and Europe.

An independent Scotland would be able to have a new immigration system. It would be based on Scotland’s needs.

We could attract families to live and work here.

This would help our businesses to find the right people for the jobs.

This would also help parts of Scotland where there are fewer people living now.

The Scottish Government wants to have 1 single rate for the national minimum wage.

Unlike in the UK there would be no lower rate for young workers

There would be better and stronger workplace rights. Unfair work laws would be changed.

The Scottish Government believes that Scotland’s economy has many strengths and huge potential.

Independence and membership of the EU can together make the most of our strengths and potential.

The Scottish Government believes that independence would help us build a stronger economy and a fairer society, both now and in the future.