Scotland will be held back further under Westminster control following Jeremy Hunt’s austerity budget.
The Office for Budget Responsibility predicted the UK will suffer the sharpest decline of any European nation with a drop in growth by 1.4% in 2023.
This compares to small independent countries similar to Scotland, like Ireland who will see their economies grow by around 3% next year.
It follows on from years of under-performance under Westminster control, as set out in recent Scottish Government papers on independence.
Commenting, SNP Depute Leader Keith Brown MSP said:
“There is a bleak future ahead for the people of Scotland under Westminster control as the UK economy shrinks whilst other small, independent European countries flourish.
“It is a stark demonstration why Scotland needs to spread its wings and become an independent country.
“Earlier this year the Scottish Government set out how European countries of a similar size to Scotland are happier, fairer and have lower poverty levels than the UK.
“That trend will get even worse in the coming years.
“As countries like Ireland grow, Scotland can only watch on powerless as the UK continues its decline accelerated by Brexit.
“There is no way back to the European Union for Scotland under Westminster control.
“The pro-Brexit Labour party will keep Scotland outside the EU, a market seven times the size of the UK despite the deep and long-lasting economic harm it will continue to cause.
“The only way for Scotland to escape the chaos and never-ending decline of Westminster is by becoming an independent country and re-joining the EU.”
