A New Scotland: Building an Equal, Fair and Sustainable Society

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With independence, Scotland could embrace the principle outlined in the Claim of Right for Scotland – that sovereignty lies with the people. Shortly before the UK left the European single market, the Boris Johnson regime sought through the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 to restrict the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament. The primary purpose of the act is to constrain the capacity of the devolved institutions to use their regulatory autonomy. [71] The legislation undermines the capability of the Scottish legislature to make different economic or social choices from those made in Westminster. [80] In a January 2021 editorial concerning rising support for independence and its potential to break up the union, the Financial Times indicated that the Internal Market Act may serve to further the cause of independence: [81] The Scottish Government lodged a case with the Supreme Court to determine whether the powers to hold a referendum are within the competence of the Scottish Parliament, and a hearing took place on 11 and 12 October 2022. [90] A month later, the UK Supreme Court gave a judgment that the Scottish Parliament does not have the power to hold an independence referendum because it relates to the Union of England and Scotland and the sovereignty of the UK Parliament, which are matters reserved to the UK Parliament. [92] Issues [ edit ] Culture [ edit ] On 16 June 2022, Douglas Ross the leader of the Scottish conservatives stated that Nicola Sturgeon had her priorities wrong and should concentrate on recovery instead of independence. [7] Series titles [ edit ] No

The Highest Risk List – previously known as the Shielding List - has ended. However, there are still people whose weakened immune system means they are at higher risk from infectious diseases, including COVID-19. The vision that we are outlining today, contrasts quite starkly with a Westminster Government which is taking Scotland in a very different approach, a different direction, one where I’m afraid rights are not protected, one where rights are being systematically eroded. But we are tied to a low-growth, low-productivity UK economy that is starting to feel the full effects of Brexit. Get information about COVID-19 vaccines and boostersand how to get proof of vaccinationfrom the NHS. People at higher riskbe inside the European Single Market, the largest single market in the world and one that is seven times larger than the UK market Scottish voters are in favour of the Trident nuclear deterrent being in Scotland. Even in the event of a vote for independence, 45 per cent of Scots polled in 2022 think the nuclear deterrent should be maintained in Scotland, compared to 34 percent against. [170] While in the Union, 58% of Scots believe in the retention of the nuclear deterrent and only 20% definitely want it axed. [171] In the event that Scottish independence meant the nuclear deterrent could no longer be in Scotland, there is a risk that the costs of relocation would make keeping a nuclear deterrent in the British Isles unfeasible. [172] In 2019, the NATO Secretary General said the maintenance of a British nuclear deterrent is important to NATO. [173] In 2022, 73 percent of Scots would want an independent Scotland to be part on NATO and only 8 percent oppose this. [174] The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was formed by the Acts of Union 1800, which united the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland. Following the Irish War of Independence (1919–21) and the Anglo-Irish Treaty that ended the war, Ireland was partitioned into two states: Southern Ireland, which opted to become independent (and is now known as Republic of Ireland), and Northern Ireland, which – given its geographical extent which tended to ensure a Unionist majority – chose to remain within the United Kingdom. In the Scottish Government’s view, it should also include provisions stating very clearly and explicitly that Scotland will not host nuclear weapons. Comparable European countries to Scotland have shown that building a dynamic economy and focusing on social justice can go hand in hand. Each makes the other stronger.

An independent Scotland can seek to replicate the success of these countries, with improved approaches to investment, entrepreneurship, corporate governance, family- friendly policy and co-operatives. A more open and welcoming immigration system with independence If businesses concluded that independence would yield benefits, there could be positive economic effects. However, if businesses do not, they could postpone spending or investment plans or even leave Scotland entirely. [131] :219 Uncertainty caused by independence referendums can also have negative implications for financial markets and the wider economy, depending on the likelihood that separation wins. This uncertainty has impacts not only in Scotland, but in the whole of the UK. Due to the relative size of Scotland in the UK, any negative economic effects would be felt worse in Scotland. [131] :232 Independence would enable the creation of an economy that works better for Scotland. The proposals in Building a New Scotland: A stronger economy with independence are designed to allow Scotland to: This document is part of the Building a New Scotland series that sets out the Scottish Government’s case for Scottish independence. Further details of these proposals are set out in the A better economy with independence section of the full publication. Conclusions

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Comparable independent countries to Scotland have stronger public finances than the UK. And analysis suggests that Scotland's estimated deficit could match or be lower than that of the UK as a whole this year, providing a stronger financial position. Scotland would take a responsible position on UK debt, agreeing to pay a reasonable share, taking account of the assets Scotland is entitled to. In future, Westminster sovereignty of course could even allow the UK Parliament to repeal devolution through nothing other than a simple majority vote. Scottish independence ( Scottish Gaelic: Neo-eisimeileachd na h-Alba; Scots: Scots unthirldom [1]) is the idea of Scotland as a sovereign state, independent from the United Kingdom, and refers to the political movement that is campaigning to bring it about. [2] [3] [4] [5]

have lower energy prices and a more secure supply by making better, greener use of Scotland’s abundant natural energy resources This pro-independence trend continued into 2020, as three polls in the early part of the year put "Yes" support at between 50% and 52%. [234] In October 2020, an Ipsos MORI/ STV News poll saw support for independence at its highest ever level, with 58% saying they would vote "Yes". [235] As of December 2020, fifteen consecutive opinion polls had shown a lead for "Yes". [236] The run of polls showing a "Yes" lead continued into January 2021, although the average support for Yes was down by two percentage points compared to polls by the same companies in late 2020. [237] Polls conducted in early March 2021, following testimony by Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon at a Holyrood parliamentary inquiry, showed narrow leads for "No". [238] See also: Proposed second Scottish independence referendum, Brexit, and 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum

But what characterises the success of many of the countries we have looked at, is that over and above the essential cut and thrust of daily democratic engagement, there is often a general consensus on what kind of nation they are, or indeed what kind of nation they aspire to be. demonstrate there is no trade-off between greater prosperity and greater fairness. Indeed, as those independent countries show, economic dynamism and social solidarity reinforce each other