With independence we can build the country that we would all want to live in.

A more powerful and democratic Scotland

• We will always get the government we vote for
• Our government will be entirely focussed on what is best for Scotland
• We will be directly involved in policy decisions in Europe
• We will negotiate strategic business, defence and social alliances with other countries that best suit Scotland’s needs
• Decisions regarding Scotland will never again be made in the undemocratic, unelected House of Lords

A more prosperous country

• We will keep ALL of the taxes we pay and collect
• We will keep ALL of the tax revenues from the North Sea operators
• We will have the power to tailor policy to suit our own circumstances
• We could invest our oil wealth for future generations like other nations have done
• Economic policy designed for Scotland will promote business growth
• Promoting Scotland overseas through our own embassies and trade organisations would boost exports of Scottish goods
• Our international profile would be raised leading to a boost in tourism

A fairer society

The UK is one of the most unequal societies in the developed world. With independence we can fight against or eliminate:

• Child Poverty
• Unfair Taxes – such as the bedroom tax
• Privatisation of public services
• Cuts to social security – we will not have to accept Westminster’s direction on welfare policy

Yes, the National Health Service is currently run by the Scottish Parliament and government and will remain so.

In terms of health policy, Scotland is already effectively independent.

The Scottish government will continue to fund all the health services it currently provides, including cross-border services. Medical experts have already made clear that the contracts currently in place to provide for cross-border treatment would carry on in exactly the same way.

EU Directives protect our access to cross-border treatment, and there are also separate agreements in place with countries outwith Europe.

International businessman Ivan McKee has worked in manufacturing for 30 years; he currently has interests in manufacturing businesses in Scotland, England and Eastern Europe and runs his own manufacturing turnaround and consultancy company. His work has taken him across the globe, including periods working in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe.

He is one of 2200 business people who have joined Business for Scotland.

According to Ivan:

“All the financial data clearly shows that Scotland as a stand-alone economy would be more prosperous than at present. The primary focus of the UK economy is the City of London and the banking sector, manufacturing as a consequence is often overlooked.”

My global experience has shown me how dynamic, responsive and successful smaller countries can be, when given the scope to focus on what is important for their economies and businesses”.

Watch Ivan’s economic case for independence here:

Even without oil and gas, Scotland’s wealth per head of population is 99% of that of the UK’s, and ranks behind only London and the South East of England on this measure.

We have many other strong industries on which Scotland can build. We have:

• 25% of the EU’s offshore tidal and wind energy potential, worth up to £14 billion per year
• A food and drink industry worth £13 billion
• Whisky exports alone which are worth £4.2 billion, a quarter of UK food and drink exports. We export 40 bottles of whisky per second
• A tourism industry that is worth £10 billion
• A construction industry worth £21.4 billion
• Creative industries worth £2.8 billion
• Agriculture industry worth £2.7 billion
• A manufacturing industry worth £15 billion
• 20% of Europe’s fisheries catch
• Life Sciences employs 16,000 people and turns over £1.9 billion.
• ICT sector contributes around £3.6 billion annually
• We have more universities, per head, in the world’s top 200 than any other country.

“By international standards Scotland is a wealthy and productive country. There is no doubt that Scotland has the potential to be a successful independent nation”.

The Scottish Government’s Fiscal Commission Working Group (which includes two Nobel Prize winning economists)