FM: Scots should make choices that best serve Scotland's
interests.
Independence would give the people of Scotland new opportunities
to improve their standards of living, according to a new paper
published by First Minister .
‘A Fresh Start with Independence' examines how an independent
Scotland would be able to improve the economy and the NHS, and
tackle issues such as household finances, pensions, social
security, migration, energy and defence.
The paper states that the Scottish Government has worked hard to
improve the lives of people living in Scotland using devolved
powers but it would only be able to fully capitalise on the
nation's potential with independence.
The First Minister said:
“I firmly believe that the people who live in Scotland are best
placed to make decisions about Scotland. That is the fundamental
democratic and practical argument underpinning the case that we
make.
“Too many people in Scotland today do not have a decent standard
of living and are finding it difficult to make ends meet. That is
because standards of living in the UK have improved little in
over 10 years, due to a failing economic system and Westminster
decisions such as austerity and the disastrous decision to
leave the European Union. Scotland did not support austerity and
it did not support Brexit. The reality is Westminster is not
working for Scotland.
“The Scottish Government works tirelessly to use the powers of
devolution to deliver the very best for Scotland. Much good has
been achieved through the expansion of early learning and
childcare, the introduction of free university tuition, the
expansion of the rail network, the introduction of Minimum Unit
Pricing of alcohol, the creation of the Scottish Child Payment
and many other measures.
“But Scotland needs to be able to improve the opportunities
available to our people, our communities and our businesses.
Scotland needs to build a stronger, more inclusive economy that
works for all. Those possibilities would only be available to
Scotland with the fresh start of independence.
“We have shown that when we have the power to decide for
ourselves, we find solutions and make choices that best serve
Scotland's interests. I believe Scotland can and will become a
successful independent country, with a more dynamic economy and a
fairer society.”
Background
A Fresh Start with
Independence - gov.scot
