Independence: Scots want to share oil money - poll

MOST Scots believe money raised from North Sea oil and gas in Scottish waters should support public services across the UK, according to a poll.

Scots value sharing, Labour leader Johann Lamont said. Picture: John Devlin

The finding suggests 64 per cent would prefer to share the proceeds, compared with 30 per cent who think the revenue should stay in Scotland.

The YouGov poll, compiled by the pro-Union Better Together group, also suggests most Scots want to share pensions and benefits across the UK.

Labour released the findings ahead of the launch of its referendum campaign, due to take place at a rally in Glasgow tomorrow.

Scottish leader Johann Lamont will be joined by former chancellor and prime minister Gordon Brown at the event. Ms Lamont said: “According to this Better Together polling, most Scots understand that our pensions and benefits are better being backed across the United Kingdom, spread across 60 million rather than six million.

“On oil, it is clear that Scots see the value of sharing out the volatility of oil revenues across the UK rather than being reliant on it as part of a smaller economy.

“We Scots want to share the benefits of oil throughout the UK and the UK wants to share the wealth of London with us Scots.”

The poll of 1,051 Scottish adults was carried out between 14 and 18 May.

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