John Swinney launches latest paper on Scottish independence

A vote to leave the UK would help drive up standards of living in Scotland, according to a new white paper on independence.

Launched this morning by First Minister John Swinney, A Fresh Start with Independence looks at how independence would give Scotland more control over its economy and the NHS, as well as tackling issues relating to pensions, social security and migration.

Ahead of the launch of the paper in Edinburgh, Swinney said: “I firmly believe that the people who live in Scotland are best placed to make decisions about Scotland. That is the fundamental democratic and practical argument underpinning the case that we make.

“Too many people in Scotland today do not have a decent standard of living and are finding it difficult to make ends meet.

“That is because standards of living in the UK have improved little in over 10 years, due to a failing economic system and Westminster decisions such as austerity and the disastrous decision to leave the European Union. Scotland did not support austerity and it did not support Brexit. The reality is Westminster is not working for Scotland.”

But Scottish Labour constitution spokesperson Neil Bibby said: “The idea that John Swinney – a man now having his second stint as SNP leader after first leading the party in 2000 – can offer Scots a fresh start, is frankly laughable.

“This is a party that has been in power in Scotland for 18 years, during which time they have presided over a decline in public services, rising waiting times in our health service, and a fall in our education standards.

“Rather than focusing on the priorities facing Scots, John Swinney refuses to end his obsession with division, with the SNP woefully out of touch and obsessing over the arguments of the past.”

More to follow