The practical issues that arise on separating Scotland from rUK cannot be underestimated, despite the existence of a Scottish Government since devolution. Everything run on a UK-wide basis must be split. Laws that are in force in Scotland and in rUK on independence day will continue in force, but both countries need to look at their statute books in order to ensure that they meet the requirements of each country's new or revised form

There’s a multitude of reasons why people aren’t in favour of independence. We take a look at them including the economy, borders, currency, whether there is real benefit to the union.

An independent Scotland within the EU would be part of the EU’s single market: England and Wales would be outside.  The border checks may be quite significant. Ireland's experience shows it is clearly possible for a small country to succeed economically in a similar situation to that which would confront an independent Scotland within the EU and establishing a new border.

There are indications that the EU would welcome an application from an independent Scotland. Full membership of the EU may take up to a decade to complete. As a new member state, Scotland would probably have to take on the normal obligations, which may include the use of the Euro.  A hard border with England would be the consequence of EU membership.  Even a looser relationship, similar to Norway, with the EU would require a customs border with England.

How a border will be handled and its potential economic impacts need some serious analysis from the Scottish Government. The fact that Scotland’s trade with rUK is three times that with the EU means it looks like the short- term economic impact of a harder border would be negative. 

But some of those negative impacts might be at least partially offset by benefits from migration and free movement of people, and by foreign investment. 

In the early stages of independence an interim agreement will be needed. With full independence achieved, a border of some sort between rUK and Scotland will be needed. If Scotland were to join the EU an hard border will be required.  Upon joining the EU, trade would be more difficult with rUK, but easier with the rest of Europe.

Failure to sort out the current border chaos would mean the UK economy would be in free-fall and, given that Scotland exports more than twice the amount of goods per head than rUK, our economy would be hardest hit.

An independent Scotland in the EU would have the same border checks as the UK has.  With the right agreement border checks can be electronic, pretty seamless and not physical whether in or out of the EU.  

This guide shows the difference between measures of GDP.  The guide shows how the Scottish economy compares in the UK and the world. Scotland's GDP per head is at the average of the OECD countries, just behind Great Britain. There are wide regional differences in Gross Vaue Added per head of the most value being 3 times the least area. Disposable income per head has much less variation (38%).  The Human Development Index shows Scotland very close and recently narrowing the small gap with the UK

This is the three times a year report on the Scottish economy in an international context.

Presents the Scottish economy from an international business and investment perspective.