Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron has said that new figures, which reveal the level of UK Government financial support for Scotland, has left the SNP with “no excuses” for the crumbling state of his region’s infrastructure.
The Scottish Conservative MSP said: “The GERS figures clearly demonstrate that money which should be coming to help communities in my region isn’t getting past Holyrood and instead is being diverted to fund the political priorities of Nicola Sturgeon.
“The SNP have had more than enough resources to provide us with a fit-for-purpose ferry fleet and adequate roads. They have no excuses for this neglect which is causing such hardship and inconvenience for people the length and breadth of the Highlands and Islands.”
New figures show record public spending of nearly £100 billion in a single year, demonstrating the “strength and security” that Scotland gains as part of the United Kingdom.
The annual GERS figures, published by the Scottish Government, show that public spending in Scotland reached £99.2 billion in 2020-21.
The ‘Union dividend’, the combined value of higher spending and lower revenue, has increased to £2,210 per person.
As a percentage of GDP, Scotland’s deficit increased to 22.4%. Across the UK, the deficit rose to 14.2%.
More on this story here: https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/19520486.gers-report-record-scottish-deficit-hits-case-independence/