Economy Report Due

There's a warning the SNP's plans for full fiscal autonomy would pose a double whammy for Scotland's jobs and growth.

The Scottish Government will publish its balance sheet today.

Last year's Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland report showed that UK offshore oil revenues halved to £6 billion pounds between 2012 and 13. This year's figures are expected to be hard hit after a volatile year for the global oil industry.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: “The SNP’s plans for full fiscal autonomy would pose a double whammy for Scotland’s jobs and growth. It would mean that we don't have the breadth of the UK economy to give us the flexibility needed to support the oil industry through tax allowances and other incentives. It would mean we would face tough decisions over how to support public spending in order to plug the deficit.

“Today we need straight answers from the SNP on how their economic assertions align with real economic facts.

“The oil industry, local economies from the North East up to Shetland and Scotland’s economy as a whole has benefitted from Liberal Democrat economic policies pursued as part of the UK government. Taxes are down, pensions are up, there are new jobs and better healthcare. I don’t want to put that at risk.”