Sturgeon using Brexit to scramble support for Scottish Independence [REVEAL] <\/strong>
Mordaunt could ’cause trouble’ for Rishi after being denied promotion [INSIGHT] <\/strong>
Rishi’s budget delay to save UK £15bn as PM reconsiders tax rises [ANALYSIS]<\/strong><\/p>\n
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“North Sea oil and gas production has declined massively in recent years as many fields have ceased production.<\/p>\n
“Only a few remain in comparison with the 1970-2000 period.”<\/p>\n
He added: “The SNP’s policy towards future developments is far from clear and the Scottish Greens are strongly opposed.<\/p>\n
“How a New Scotland Fund would be financed is therefore very unclear.”<\/p>\n
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Earlier this month, the First Minister unveiled the SNP’s latest independence paper, which outlined economic and currency plans for a Scotland outside of the Union.<\/p>\n
The paper included a proposal on re-joining the EU for access to the Single Market, making it clear that reversing Brexit is key to the SNP’s independence vision.<\/p>\n
Speaking about the paper, the Scottish First Minister said that the UK Government “cannot be trusted to act in Scotland’s interests”.<\/p>\n
She said “independence is now essential” in order to “prevent further economic damage being inflicted by Westminster Governments”.<\/p>\n
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The First Minister claimed that Brexit has made the UK even more “ill-equipped to cope with events like the cost of living crisis”.<\/p>\n
Ahead of the speech, the First Minister said Scotland an “abundance of skilled people, innovative businesses, and natural resources”.<\/p>\n
But the SNP leader warned: “Scotland’s economy is one of the best performing in the UK – however, the UK economy, particularly post-Brexit, is now lagging behind many EU and international comparators.<\/p>\n
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“The UK economic model is demonstrably failing and increasingly holding Scotland back. Independence is now essential to build an economy that works for everyone.”<\/p>\n
Ms Sturgeon’s plans for independence, which involve rejoining the EU, were dealt a further blow last week when a number of Brussels insiders warned that an independent Scotland would have to join the Euro.<\/p>\n
One unnamed insider told the Times: “No euro, no membership.”<\/p>\n