Scotland’s borders and independence

Primary Author or Creator:
Kirsty Hughes
Additional Author(s) / Creators
Sceptical Scot
Date Published:
Type of Resource:
Assessment report
Fast Facts

Scotland's trade with the rUK is greater than with all other areas. The negative effects of a border needs serious analysis by the Scottish Government.

 

More details

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. 

The potential shorter and longer-term economic transition and structural change Scotland faces as an independent state within the EU, while rUK is outside, needs careful economic analysis and an understanding of likely costs and benefits. 

English