Scotland thrives making its own decisions – But Westminster holds us back
by The message from the latest economic data couldn’t be clearer – when decisions are made in Scotland for Scotland, our economy can thrive. But when crucial choices are left to Westminster, our industries face severe damage.
New figures from the latest EY Attractiveness Survey offer undeniable proof of Scotland’s economic potential.
For the 11th consecutive year, Scotland has secured its position as the most appealing part of the UK outside of London for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
Our investment attractiveness has reached record levels, with the number of jobs created from inward investment over the last decade soaring past 52,000. Today, a staggering one-third of all investors planning to back projects in the UK say they intend to choose Scotland.
This success is no accident. By deliberately fostering a supportive business environment, the SNP, as the Scottish Government, has positioned our nation as the second most successful area in the entire UK for attracting international investment.
We boast a combination of strengths few nations can match: one of the most highly educated workforces in Europe, boundless natural resources, a diverse economy, and a deep-rooted global reputation for innovation.
However, this immense potential is constantly fighting against a tide of economic decline radiating from London.
Across the UK as a whole, inward investment is faltering – a direct symptom of a “Broken Britain” managed by a Westminster government that continues to implement a disastrous tax on jobs, fails to bring down soaring energy bills, and refuses to properly back our key industrial sectors.
In particular we are seeing the sharp edge of these damaging Westminster policies hit home in North East Scotland.
On the exact same day the EY data highlighted Scotland’s macro-success, a sobering report from the Energy Transition Institute warns that Aberdeen is entering a critical “make or break” period, with up to 18,000 offshore energy jobs at risk over the next decade.
The uncertainty imposed on the North Sea by successive Westminster government policies is actively draining confidence. According to the EY analysis, Aberdeen has slipped down the UK rankings for FDI, recording only five investment projects over the last year.
For decades, Westminster has happily reaped the rewards of Scotland’s vast energy wealth, yet they now refuse to lift a finger to secure a just transition for the people of Aberdeen. If we continue to allow politicians in London to control our energy resources, the same historical injustices will keep repeating themselves, threatening up to 1,600 offshore jobs every single year between now and 2035.
The contrast is stark. On one hand, we see what is possible when Scottish talent and tailored domestic policies are allowed to lead. On the other, we see the real-world harm inflicted by a UK government whose ruinous economic management drags our communities down.
Scotland has everything it takes to build a fair, resilient, and wealthy green economy. But to unlock it completely and protect our vital industries from terminal decline, we need full control over our own resources.
The evidence shows that independence is not just an political aspiration – it is essential as the only practical way for Scotland to permanently escape the gravity of Westminster’s decline and secure a prosperous future.