Scots public spending £1500 higher than UK average

Scots receive £1,500 more in spending on public services than elsewhere in the UK - and the gap is growing, official figures today revealed.

The figures were hailed as a "union dividend" by the UK Government.


Scotland has traditionally benefited from higher public spending levels because the level of need is deemed to greater north of the border.


Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell said: “Public spending per head in Scotland is more than £1,500 higher than the UK average.


"The UK Government continues to invest directly in Scotland and we are ready to work with the Scottish Government to further boost the economy.”


Levels of public spending across the UK are calculated using the so-called Barnett formula. People in England get the lowest levels of public spending at £9,080 last year - almost £1800 lower than Scotland. Wales got £10,397, while the highest level was in Northern Ireland which received £11,190.

Keith Brown, the SNP’s depute leader, said: “David Mundell is still part of the Tory UK government which is threatening a Brexit which – by their own analysis and his own admission – will make Scotland poorer.

“Figures show that Scotland is one of the wealthiest of all UK nations and regions per head, outside of London and the south-east. People know that Scotland is more than wealthy enough to run its own affairs – which is why increasing numbers are rejecting the despair of Brexit UK and are now more likely to support an ambitious independent Scotland.”