The SNP has said that only with independence will Scotland’s economy truly be protected and thrive, after experts forecasted that the UK will rank bottom of the growth league table for major economies for the next two years.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has predicted that GDP will shrink by 0.4% in 2023 and grow by just 0.2% in 2024.
The new predictions come after the Financial Times’ annual survey of leading economists revealed the UK will face one of the worst recessions and slowest recoveries in the G7 due to Tory “ministers’ outright incompetence.”
Commenting, the SNP’s Economy spokesperson at Westminster, Stewart Hosie MP, said:
“Under this Tory government, the UK and Scotland’s economic outlook has gradually gotten worse and worse.
“Only with independence and the full fiscal powers that will bring, can Scotland turn things around to protect our economy and thrive – and shake off the incompetent Tories for good.
“The Tories in government have tanked the pound, put pensions at risk, imposed 12 years of damaging austerity and oversaw a hard Brexit.
“All of this has put Scotland’s economy at risk, yet we voted for none of it.
“These forecasts should serve as a wake up call to the Westminster government and spurn ministers into action.
“But we have seen time and again that the Tories ignore expert advice and make decisions based on ideology instead of common sense.
“That is why Scotland needs independence and full fiscal responsibility.
“It is time the big decisions affecting our businesses, livelihoods and economy were made by the government we elected, and made with Scotland’s best interests in mind.”
