Scotland’s Place in Europe: People, Jobs and Investment

Author (Corporate)
Publisher
Publication Date January 2018
ISBN 978-1-78851-546-7
Content Type

Background

Before the publication in January 2018 of Scotland's Place in Europe: People, Jobs and Investment the Scottish had previously published a policy paper called Scotland’s Place in Europe, in December 2016. This had set out the Scottish Government’s position following the result of the EU Referendum in the United Kingdom in June 2016.

The paper presented the Scottish Government’s proposals for mitigating the impact on Scotland of the UK’s exit from the EU.

The paper set out the importance of continued European Single Market membership for Scotland, and demonstrated that this was also the best outcome for the UK as a whole.

It then set out the Scottish Government’s strategy for ensuring Scotland could remain a member of the European Single Market even if the UK Government chose a different outcome, before laying out the impact of the EU referendum on the current devolution settlement and the new powers which would come to Scotland.

The First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the paper represented a ‘significant compromise’ on the part of the Scottish Government which believed full membership of the EU was the best option for Scotland and the UK. Scotland’s Place in Europe aimed to build as much consensus within Scotland as possible and to unify the country around a clear plan to protect its interests. The Scottish Government issued a report in January 2018 called Scotland's Place in Europe: People, Jobs and Investment.

This new economic impact analysis by the Scottish Government confirmed that in the event of Brexit taking place, the best way to protect the economy would be to remain in the Single Market and the Customs Union.

A failure to remain in the Single Market or to secure a free trade agreement would see Scotland’s GDP around £12.7 billion lower by 2030 than it would be under continued EU membership.

The analysis took account of the impact on trade, productivity and migration of different future relationships. It showed that a so called ‘Canada-type’ deal with the EU would still leave Scotland’s GDP £9 billion lower by 2030 – or £1,610 per head.

Other key findings included:

+ Remaining within the Single Market could see an additional benefit to Scotland’s economy if the EU made progress on completing the Single Market in services, energy and the digital economy
+ Continued migration from the EU in line with Freedom of Movement is required to support continued economic growth, with each additional EU citizen working in Scotland currently contributing an average of £10,400 in tax revenue
+ Any relationship with the EU short of remaining in the Single Market could have a significant impact on social protections, environmental and consumer policies.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2018/01/6407
Related Links
The National, 16.01.18: Why does Scottish Government report not try to stop Brexit? http://www.thenational.scot/comment/15829507.Why_does_Scottish_Government_report_not_try_to_stop_Brexit_/
In Facts, 16.01.18: Scottish Brexit study lays challenge for Tories and Labour https://infacts.org/scottish-brexit-study-lays-challenge-tories-labour/
ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/
ESO: Find further information in ESO on Scotland and Brexit after the referendum http://www.europeansources.info/advSearchLink?keyword=brexit%20after%20scotland%20&searchOption=all
The Guardian, 15.01.18: Brexit could cost Scottish economy £16bn a year – report https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jan/15/brexit-could-cost-scottish-economy-report-nicola-sturgeon
BBC News, 15.01.18: Hard Brexit 'would cost Scots £12.7bn' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-42682253
Scottish Centre on European Relations: Comment, 15.01.18: A Scottish Government Challenge on Brexit: How Will It Impact on UK Debate? https://www.scer.scot/database/ident-4738
Politico, 15.01.18: Scotland’s (latest) Brexit strategy https://www.politico.eu/article/scotlands-latest-brexit-strategy/
EurActiv, 15.01.18: A market that’s not on the menu http://www.euractiv.com/section/uk-europe/news/a-market-thats-not-on-the-menu/

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