Salmond sets out independence vision

Scotland would become independent "in more promising circumstances than virtually any nation in history", the first minister is to say.

Alex Salmond will put forward his arguments for independence during a public meeting of the Scottish cabinet.

His speech comes the day before the publication of a Treasury analysis paper.

It will set out the amount the Treasury says will be saved by people in Scotland if they reject independence.

The Scottish government will also unveil its own analysis, which it said would demonstrate "Scotland's financial strengths and the economic opportunities that only come with independence".

At the cabinet meeting in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire. Mr Salmond will argue that the powers of independence would create "sustainable prosperity across the whole of Scotland".

Public finances

"If we vote Yes in September then Scotland will become independent in more promising circumstances than virtually any nation in history," he will add.

Mr Salmond is expected to say that Scotland has contributed more in taxes, per person, than the rest of the UK for every single one of the past 33 years.

He will also say that Scotland's public finances have been healthier than the UK's by £8.3bn - or nearly £1,600 per person - over the past five years.

The first minister will add: "We would be among the wealthiest nations in the OECD. Scotland would be 14th on the list, with the UK at 18th.

"Seven out of the ten wealthiest countries in the developed world have populations similar to, or smaller than, Scotland."

Scotland also has "extraordinary potential" in areas such as engineering, life sciences and energy, Mr Salmond will say.

The referendum on Scottish independence will be held on 18 September, when voters will be asked the Yes/No question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"

UK government's view

On Monday, the UK Treasury challenged the Scottish government to provide estimates for the cost of independence as it prepared to publish its own price tag for a Yes vote in the referendum.

The Treasury claimed its analysis would put a figure on the amount which will be saved by people in Scotland if they "avoid the public spending cuts and tax rises that an independent Scottish state would have to undertake, in order to offset the fiscal impacts of independence by 2035/6".

The figure would effectively represent the UK government's view of the cost of independence over the next 20 years.

Treasury Chief Secretary Danny Alexander said: "The Scottish government is trying to leave the UK but it won't tell anyone how much the set-up surcharge is for an independent Scotland.

"As part of the UK, Scotland gains from a strong and stable tax and benefits system and our comprehensive analysis, published this week, sets out how much better off Scottish taxpayers are; that's why we're better off together."

Salmond sets out independence vision

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