SNP told to be 'honest' over Scottish independence plans after praising Irish budget surplus

EXCLUSIVE: SNP figures were questioned after heaping praise on the Irish Government after it raked in billions in business taxes.

The SNP has been urged to be "honest" about its plans for an independent Scotland after praising the budget surplus recorded by the Republic of Ireland.

The Nationalists praised the Dublin government after it yesterday announced personal tax cuts and cost-of-living support.

The giveaways were announced after official figures showed Ireland will run a €25bn budget surplus, partially due to a huge tax windfall from Apple.

Dave Doogan, SNP economy spokesman at Westminster, said: "The contrast between these islands couldn’t be clearer. Ireland - an independent country in the European Union - continues to prosper and progress while broken, Brexit Britain and its Prime Minister tells the public that ‘things can only get worse’."

Angus Robertson, the Constitution Secretary, said: "On the same day UK Government announces a 10 per cent energy price rise, Ireland announces €250 Energy credit for all households, plus a €300 lump sum payment on fuel allowance. Ireland is a small independent nation inside the EU."

But opposition politicians and pro-independence campaigners questioned whether the SNP was now arguing for Scotland to replicate the Irish economic model.

Dublin has a corporation tax rate of 12.5 per cent - far lower than most other European countries - in a bid to attract multinational businesses to base themselves in the Republic.

The Scottish Government previously suggested an independent Scotland could reduce corporation tax "by up to three percentage points below the prevailing rate".

In a 2013 white paper, published before the referendum the following year, it was argued cutting tax on business would "stimulate economic activity".

But that pledge was dropped by Nicola Sturgeon in 2015 as she announced a new economic strategy that “puts the quest for greater equality at its heart”.

Responding to SNP praise of the Irish Government, Lib Dem MP Christine Jardine said: "So does this mean the SNP want us all to pay the £50 you have to cough up to see a GP in Ireland?

"Or maybe they want our economy dependent on US tech and pharmaceutical giants? If that's their new blueprint for Scotland it's time they owned up to it."

Jonathon Shafi, co-editor of the pro-independence website Conter, called for the SNP to be "honest" when it came to the timescale of Scotland rejoining the EU.

"The SNP has been fond of looking towards Ireland as model of economic success," he said. "They contrast Ireland’s position within the EU to that of the UK, and suggest a similar set up for Scotland.

“While the experience of the British economy has been one of stagnating and declining living standards in relation to real pay, the SNP need to be honest about the lack of planning when it comes to providing an alternative vision.

“Scotland could only join Ireland in the EU - with all its alleged benefits - if it first has its own currency and central bank.

"Instead of scoring points on Brexit, the SNP could instead have harnessed Scotlands wind energy more effectively, rather than selling it off to BP and Shell at rock bottom prices."

Sir Tom Hunter, the billionaire philanthropist, is among those who have called for tax cuts to encourage business growth.

He said now had "one of the highest tax regimes in Europe" and suggested the introduction of a 15% "corporate tax zone" for key sectors such as renewables, life sciences and AI.

The Record asked the Scottish Government for comment.

Scottish politics

• Shipbuilder goes into administration
• Games 'likely' to return to Glasgow
• Scottish Labour 'losing members'
• SNP told to 'take responsibility'

To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here

Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.