Most tax collection, borders and customs, and foreign affairs, which are mostly reserved areas, would need to new IT systems established upon independence. The methods and costs are examined.
― Several important areas of Scottish governance, like the NHS, Local Government, and Police and Fire Services, are already devolved. However, other areas like most tax collection, borders and customs, and foreign affairs, are mostly reserved areas and would need to new IT systems established upon independence.
― A tentative estimate of the total cost to build new IT systems for all required areas has been identified at around £1,250 million to be spent over a three year independence transition period. This is comparable to the budgets being identified to reform and upgrade current government IT systems within Scotland in recent years.
― A well designed IT system will aid in quickly recouping this investment in the form of revenue from the customs agency and central bank.