Scotland’s Financial Strength

That the Parliament notes the publication of the latest Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) report; welcomes its finding that Scotland was in a relatively stronger budget position than the UK as a whole, to the value of £824 per person or £4.4 billion as a nation last year; notes that, in 2011-12, Scotland generated 9.9% of UK revenues with 8.4% of the population while receiving only 9.3% of UK public spending; further welcomes Oil & Gas UK's Activity Survey 2013, which shows that North Sea investment is at a 30-year high; believes that, with the enormous potential of offshore wind, wave and tidal power, an independent Scotland would have the potential to secure its future as Europe’s energy capital, and agrees with the conclusion of the Fiscal Commission Working Group that there is no doubt that Scotland has the potential to be a successful independent nation.