Public Finance

HS2 will not cost Scotland £17 billion

Author / Creator: Full Fact

Media type: Fact check

Date published:

There is no evidence for the claim that HS2 will cost Scotland. In effect, all money spent by Scotland on HS2 is returned through the Barnett formula.


What are the implications of independence for public revenues and spending?

Author / Creator: Graeme Roy

Media type: Assessment report

Date published: 2021

There is no question that an independent Scotland could run a sustainable budget. But like the UK, an independent Scotland would face major fiscal challenges both in the short and long run. Based upon the latest data, an independent Scotland is likely to face greater challenges than the UK as a whole (at least in the short-term).