The Scottish government’s own figures demolish the economic case for independence

What does a barrel of schadenfreude cost these days? That’s today’s starter for ten. The answer, according to the latest Scottish government figures, appears to be about £15bn. That’s the difference between spending in Scotland last year and the revenue raised from Scotland. A deficit of 9.7 percent or, for those keeping score, almost twice the UK’s deficit.

And, boom, there will be some Unionists tempted to sneer Well, that was a nice little case you had for independence, wasn’t it? Such a shame something happened to it.  They will have a point, albeit there is something unseemly about appearing to revel in the collapse of an industry – north sea oil – upon which so many Scottish jobs and families depend. Aberdeen has endured tough times before but these present difficulties are tougher than most. Even granite can weep.

Besides, Unionists minded to crow today as the Scottish government publishes figures that are, frankly, ruinous should remember that by doing so they are playing the nationalists at their own game.