Should Scotland be an independent country?

It really gives me a warm feeling when I send the cash to the HMRC thinking about the 51 cars and 54 spin doctors I'm *investing in*at Holyrood. The fact I pay double the council tax that my brother pays in S England.

In June 2020 there were 565,600 people employed in the public sector in Scotland, accounting for 21.2% of total employment.
In June 2020, there were 565,600 people employed in the public sector in Scotland, 1.4% more than in June 2019

And this is sustainable?

More ONS

In June 2020, there were 2,097,500 people employed in the private sector in Scotland, 0.5% less than in June 2019

And again from the ONS (to prempt the oil question)

Total government revenues from UK Oil and Gas production were £248 million (m) in the tax year 2020 to 2021, a drop of 71 per cent on the previous year

Public sector is pretty broad isn't it? Does it include public healthcare and education etc

I agree and disagree, the SG in all parts is at a money grab always up here. When they do one thing, they move onto another thing. It’s becoming brutal

Despite the increases, the independent analysis found that only £170 million of net benefit made its way into the Scottish government’s budget because the fiscal framework — an agreement between the UK and Scottish governments put in place after extra tax powers were devolved — means the block grant sent to Scotland every year is adjusted based on tax receipts.

I mean this is fucking laughable as the basis for an article isn't it?

As Corey says- Spain has indicated that they’d be fine with it as long as it was all handled legally.

I’m aware of that, and absent a salary survey we will of course never know, but last time I looked designers, UX folk and developers are not poorly paid.

To answer that would need a similar sized state/economy to use as the yardstick.

Would Scotland be a contributor or a recipient of EU funding?

In June 2020, there were 565,600 people employed in the public sector in Scotland, 1.4% more than in June 2019

In June 2020, there were 2,097,500 people employed in the private sector in Scotland, 0.5% less than in June 2019

So a 0.9% annual employment increase. Isn't this just a function of the inability of the private sector to provide enough jobs while simultaneously reducing jobs with increase efficiency and automation?

Ultimately if you want wealth to continue be provided by employment there is no other option than increased public employment. The sensible move would be to look at how you can build new useful sectors. Care for eg is woefully under supplied and given how much more of it we will need a total rethink about how it's shaped could be one option.

Ultimately an Indy Scotland has no choice but to join the EU. So while I don't think it will be the smooth process that many assume, Scotland will just have to do whatever they have to. The UK is now in a weaker economic position outside the EU and that's while being in NATO, having a seat on the Security Council and being exceptionally wealthy. Scotland would have none of those advantages.

Also this narrow use of "higher earners" isn't very useful. It's similar to those vapid presenters who reference higher earners' tax contributions when discussing billionaires. You need lots of people earning a decent chunk >£40k. The government taking half of a tenner over the higher tax rate isn't a tax windfall.

What would a more useful term be? The goal would be to bring in tax revenues - something Sunak is apparently concerned about.

Net inward migration to Scotland from England of those who earn over 40K would hurt the UKs finances and improve Scotland’s- by how much is driven by volume of people who move, and the services that they consume

Could be interesting for the future- people who work for companies in England, resident in Scotland, bringing in Sterling and tax revenue.

What would a more useful term be?

Good question. But there should be a term for the group earning (say) £75-150k and £150-250k, as my uninformed bet is that if you slice it into those tranches, it's one of those group that I think probably contributes the most towards tax.

A bit like Germany and Lux... but in reverse?

Good. Parking should be paid for. Free parking is a bad thing.

FYI nobody I know has a problem with paying extra tax for better public services. We generally accept it as the done thing

Being resident in another country creates quite a few tax and employment obstacles for employers. Will UK based businesses be happy to have their employees based in an independent Scotland? I'm not so sure.

In a residential area, ridiculous. Money the council tax is why should you pay more.

Not at all. If a property doesn't have specific private parking, setting out paid for parking bays is the best way to allocate use of public space.

Totally disagree, its not even about spaces its about money for the council especially in the parts of the west end its happening in right now.

Why shouldn't the council charge people for exclusive use of public land?

Alternatively, why are drivers allowed to use public land for free and anyone else would have to pay?

Motorists being affected by a fair tax? Help m’boab!