Shall we take a closer look at that?
1. Overall Wealth: An independent Scotland would be ranked 6th in the OECD in terms of GDP per head, compared to the UK's sixteenth place (in 2010).Maybe, but that's largely thanks to the SNP's hypothetical "geographical share" of North Sea hydrocarbon revenues, and that would be very much subject to negotiation, not to mention subject to the vagaries of market prices, and oil production. The recent near-disaster of the Elgin platform is a timely reminder of the latter.
2. Oil: There is up to 24 billion barrels remaining in the North Sea. Such a figure equates to a wholesale value of some £1.5 trillion in today's prices.Hmmm. The latest UK government estimates say the maximum theoretical remaining reserves of all UK oil is around 8 billion barrels.
3. Renewables: Scotland has around 25 percent of Europe’s potential offshore wind and tidal energy, and a tenth of Europe’s wave power potential.And exactly how many wind farms and tidal barrages would have to be built to realise anything like that potential?
4. Food & Drink: The latest food and drink export figures show exports are at an all time high of £5.4 billion, and growing.Well it's good to know that whisky is still such a popular drink throughout the world, isn't it?
5. Public Finances: In terms of our public finances, Scotland is better off than the UK as a whole to the tune of £510 for every man, women and child in Scotland in the most recent year (2010/11).Oh yes, that'll be that imaginary "geographical share" again. Haven't we already covered that?
6. Education: Scotland has five of the top 200 universities in the world.And the UK as a whole has five of the top 20 universities in the world.
7. Inward Investment: Scottish Development International are an award winning agency, with major companies continuing to locate in Scotland.Major companies like Amazon, who were given a £10.6m incentive by the Scottish Government to locate in Scotland, despite not paying a penny in UK corporation tax, you mean?
The lady doth protest too much, methinks.
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