Alex Salmond sets out ‘absolutely clear’ case for enhanced powers during London visit
Salmond: the economic case for independence is "absolutely clear". Picture: Greg Macvean
THE economic case for Scottish independence is “absolutely clear”, First Minister Alex Salmond will tell an audience in London tonight.
Scotland will only be free to take the “critical” measures needed to boost growth and create a “fairer society” when Edinburgh gains control of the key levers of economic power, he will say in an address to the London School of Economics.
The First Minister said in Liverpool on Monday that the English regions could thrive if Scotland splits from the UK.
Tonight, he will identify six key areas an independent Scottish administration needs to control to boost growth. These include taxation, energy and borrowing powers to stimulate capital investment.
“The economic case for Scottish independence is absolutely clear,” he will say. “The critical measures that need to be taken to boost the economy, create jobs and build a fairer society can only be taken when we have full financial control resting in Edinburgh rather than at Westminster.
“Full responsibility for fiscal policy while remaining within a common sterling currency area will give Scotland the maximum degree of flexibility and control of the key financial levers we need.”
The speech is the third in a series of lectures Mr Salmond has delivered south of the Border within the last month.
The SNP leader will also step up calls for control over corporation tax, which he wants to see included in the Scotland Bill. Mr Salmond wants to lower this in Scotland in an effort to attract more big firms.
“With responsibility for taxation, including corporation tax, we will be able to target support to specific areas and industries, such as our vast energy sector or the computer games industry, where Scotland has a real edge on international competitors in terms of cutting-edge innovation,” he will say.
And air passenger duty, which the Calman Commission examining the devolution settlement said should be handed to Scotland, will also be set out as a key demand by the SNP leader tonight. He will say this could help “encourage direct air links” with the rest of the world and stimulate tourism.
While the Scottish Government is already using capital investment to stimulate growth, Mr Salmond will say Holyrood needs more clout in this area. “Our powers are extremely limited and right now we have no borrowing powers whatsoever – with the same borrowing powers as other nations we would help stimulate further economic growth in Scotland,” he will say.
Holyrood is set to get more than £2 billion of borrowing powers under the Scotland Bill, but the SNP says it should be double this. The First Minister will add: “Scotland is not immune from current global economic challenges. But once we are equipped with the same powers that independent countries around the world take for granted we will be very well placed to thrive economically in the years to come.”
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Comments
There are 19 comments to this article
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Ricardo88
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 12:01 AM#18 Try not to cry too bitterly about it. You're acting like a child.
mgarthwaite
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 11:56 PMseriously what is LSE doing giving this guy a platform as an alumni I want a vote as to Scotland remaining within the UK, not the other way round.
Ricardo88
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 10:45 PM"The next First Minister is going to look fantastic, simply by turning up to work." ######################################################### Hmm. like Jack McConnell, I suppose? Remind us just how that turned out.
Danielrober2
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 10:41 PMThe strangest thing in Scotland is the Alec.S road show. That almost exists in its own pocket Universe, as only Science Fiction speak could possible explain whats going on. Yep as the Scottish economy needs a Devolved Government, economic effort, projects which employ Scots and seriously it needs to deal with jobs, Alec.S IS ALRIGHT. Yep do not worry because and his online worshipers will d=m anyone who disagrees with the man and his disciplines. The sad thing is whilst you chaps, and it is mainly chaps attack everyone for disagreeing with your leader you misses dozens of opportunities. ........................... After 5 years we have a highly developed Constitutional Law sector, paying no extra tax to the country, spending money on events all over Scotland, the UK and even the world. Essentially the First Minister is absolutely bone idle, with regards to actually becoming involved with his own job, of been the First Minister of Scotland. The next First Minister is going to look fantastic, simply by turning up to work.
Ricardo88
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 10:22 PM#14: What a strange post.
Danielrober2
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 09:55 PM# 12 Ricardo88 ..................... Were you at the LSE because you are actually a member of Alec.S PR and support team?
Buggerlugs
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 08:58 PMWell 'Muchty me, are you still masquerading about here. Do you know that there is an alternative name for 'Muchty. It is Stratheden and 'Muchty is where they go at the week-end for care-in-the-community. You must be having your turn at the rubber keyboard this evening.
Ricardo88
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 08:26 PMI went along to the LSE this evening to see if I could get into Salmond's lecture. Unfortunately, the theatre was full up, as was another hall with a video link. Look forwards to hearing how it went.
Spooked
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 08:17 PMAbridged, look back a few days. John Swinney said that Scotland would use the pound with the BoE as lender of last resort. He recognised the BoE is not going to write a blank cheque so he said he will be willing to agree the Scottish budget with them. He emphasised Westminster would have no influence. Hence my comment that as Threadneedle St is further from Heathrow than westminster tha taxi fare will be higher. Shame he's gone from representation and negotiation in a parliament to agree a budget to no representation and permisson from a bunch of bankers but I guess that's the price of "independence" and sitting King Eck in that ivory tower.
Danielrober2
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 08:13 PMI think the First Minister would not pass his first year at the London School of Economics for his recent triple failures. 1, The failure of forward planning and team inclusion, by not publishing a detailed business plan for separation covering data, information, methodology and conclusion in a basic 1000 page booklet. 2, The failure, in terms economic clout by reducing the effective size of the Scots populations spending power within the UK by 750,000 [not including all the kids and grandkids]. 3, The spectacular failure, after 5 years of promises to deliver job promises, by using new bridges purchase of steel in Scotland as a form of capital seed money, for new or expanded facilities. If the Scots national debt is say £90 billion after separation this bridge represents an increase in national debt by over 1%, for a return of very few jobs and just another standard bridge [three towers at that]. ............................. This continued microwave meals economic cooking lacks skill, creativity and details. We all love the occasional microwave meal but people and economies cannot live on them forever.
Aucthtermuchty
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 06:53 PMReading all this every day , about Wee Eck and his "visions " and the religous fervour that his followers have , only fills me with anxiety , I now know how the Germans must have felt in the 1930's When a similar Demagogue rose to prominence amidst a stark economic back drop
Abridged too Far
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 06:00 PMDaniel, this reactionary nonsense over the bridge contract has been extensively discussed in parliament and the media and proven to be unfounded................................................................... Spooked, if a majority party in the devolved Scottish Parliament raise the level of taxation then the unionists will declare it a failure of fiscal control in Scotland. If they reduce the level of taxation the people of Scotland will be lauded as leaches feeding of the regions of England. We are already reported as being parasites. One area of taxation which a devolved parliament could make use of to bolster our industries and business potential is Corporation Tax, which is denied to us. I don't understand the point of the gibberish which comprised the latter 50% of your post, so I'll assume it's a meaningless tantrum.
LondonReader
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 05:03 PMA clear case? All that borrowing sounds Greek to me.
Spooked
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 01:19 PMHe wants control over taxation. He already has control up to 3p difference, I trust he's not planning a bigger rise. He wants to borrow, he is already doing so to build a bridge and more is on offer He wants control of air passenger duty - its been offered. He's prepared to agree a budget with the BoE ( but not westminster) I guess we won't mind the higher taxi fare from Heathrow for the extra mile to Threadneedle St. He wants to be King Eck the 1st of Scotland - Maybe we should give him a castle and some happy pills and all would be OK
Biscuit McVittie
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 11:18 AMShould that be 'absolutely clear as mud’?
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