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The devil in the detail 95

Posted on November 21, 2013 by

We’ve had a closer look at the Institute for Fiscal Studies report from this week.

Basically, the conclusion of the report is that if an independent Scotland continued to do exactly the same things over the next 50 years as the UK does now, it would have to grow its GDP by 1.9% to cover a predicted fiscal gap, while the UK would only have to grow by 0.8% to cover a similar gap. According to the IFS, this 1.9% shortfall would mean a 6% cut in services or a hike of 8% in income tax in an independent Scotland.

However, close reading of the small print in the IFS document highlights facts and forecast figures that appear to contradict the IFS’s argument and instead point to a situation where an independent Scotland would actually be in a similar fiscal position to the UK. Confused? Yes, so were we.

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Category analysis, scottish politics, stats

The ‘No’ future 130

Posted on March 15, 2013 by

The media (and some of the more gullible elements of the blogosphere) recently got itself into a lather about Douglas Alexander’s latest contribution to the independence debate – excellently rebutted by novellist and playwright Alan Bissett – which presented his vision of a post-referendum Scotland that voted No to independence.

nofuture

Here’s an alternative picture. But unlike the typical “Better Together” scare story, these are not fabricated fantasies. Many are happening right now, while others are merely under discussion and in preparation.

This is what you’re voting for if you vote No.

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Category analysis, comment, disturbing, uk politics

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    • Dan on The Groomer’s Shield: “It really isn’t rocket science. The genderwoowoo is just one area of the multi-faceted rollout by globalists and their minions…” Apr 15, 13:17
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    • Aidan on The Groomer’s Shield: “@Geri – again your capacity to just invent things knows no boundaries, the USA isn’t mentioned one in the Belfast…” Apr 15, 12:19
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    • Lorn on The Groomer’s Shield: “America has a written constitution, Sarah, and it is extremely prevalent there, too. This stuff is outwith the general political…” Apr 15, 11:28
    • Geri on The Groomer’s Shield: “He won’t have an Empire anymore so no one will really give a fck what he thinks. Greenland don’t want…” Apr 15, 11:21
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    • Hatey McHateface on The Groomer’s Shield: “Interesting interview with Vice President Vance here: https://unherd.com/2025/04/jd-vance-my-message-to-europe/ Defo worth getting his POV on Europe, considering he might be POTUS…” Apr 15, 07:38
    • Hatey McHateface on SNP 2025 Update: “@Geri says:14 April, 2025 at 11:52 pm PAEDO!!! Does Scotland weep? Surely some of us must, that this is what…” Apr 15, 07:12

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