Scottish government warns no deal Brexit 'would cost Scotland £12.7bn a year'
2 min read
Leaving the EU without a trade would leave the Scottish economy £12.7bn a year worse off by 2030, according to a new analysis ordered by the SNP.
The study from Scottish government economists, due to be published today, models the likely outcome of different trading scenarios, including remaining in the single market and leaving with a trade deal.
A spokeswoman for the UK government accused the SNP of trying to "undermine the result of a democratic referendum".
The Government has already ruled out staying in the single market or customs union and is seeking a comprehensive free trade deal with the bloc.
Talks on the future trading relationship are due to begin in March, with both sides hoping to secure agreement on a transitional period before then.
The paper puts the impact of falling back on World Trade Organisation rules at around 8.5% of Scotland's GDP, equivalent to £2,300 per person.
On the Andrew Marr Show yesterday Nicola Sturgeon said the report was a "clear-eyed, hard-headed" look at the effect of Brexit on the economy north of the border.
"It is an economic model and what it says is that by far the best option for the Scottish economy is to stay in the EU, but short of that the least damaging option is staying in the single market," she said.
Responding to today's publication, a UK Government spokeswoman hit out at Ms Sturgeon's party:
"Rather than trying to undermine the result of a democratic referendum, we urge the Scottish government to work with us to ensure, as we leave the EU, we protect the UK's vital internal market," she said.
"Scotland trades four times as much with the rest of the UK as it does with the EU, so it is vital that we ensure that market continues unimpeded."
PoliticsHome Newsletters
PoliticsHome provides the most comprehensive coverage of UK politics anywhere on the web, offering high quality original reporting and analysis: Subscribe
