To ask the Scottish Government how it continues to assess the impact of Brexit on Scotland’s economy. (S6O-03973)

Independent research continues to track the fiscal and economic impacts of Brexit. To assess the impact of Brexit on Scotland’s economy, the Scottish Government monitors the research as well as data on trade and business conditions for Scotland in the export statistics for Scotland and the business insights and conditions survey. The impact is clear: the latest research from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research finds that the United Kingdom economy was 2.5 per cent smaller in 2023 due to Brexit. For Scotland, that is equivalent to a cut in public revenues of around £2.3 billion.

The governor of the Bank of England has admitted the damaging economic consequences of Brexit, urging the UK Government to rebuild relations with the European Union. Given that Labour remains inexplicably opposed to reversing the damage of Brexit, does the Minister agree that it is now more important than ever that Scotland rejoin the European Union as an independent nation?

The member raises a very important point. It is a matter of fact that the UK Government is not just in favour of Brexit but supports staying out of the huge European single market and the customs union. So far, it is refusing to sign up to even the limited youth mobility scheme that the EU is offering to the UK, let alone returning to freedom of movement, which is so important to Scotland and, indeed, the rest of the UK.

Brexit has led to an economy that is smaller and that generates less revenue for public services than Scotland would have had as part of the EU. Given the position of the UK Government and other Westminster parties, it is only by becoming an independent country that Scotland will be able to rejoin the EU and reverse the economic damage.

The Scottish Government’s eminent economic adviser Professor Mark Blyth, of Brown University, has said that, in his view, the economic impact of independence would be “Brexit times 10”. Has the Scottish Government made any assessment of what the impact of independence would be for the Scottish economy, or has it told Professor Blyth that he is wrong?

I have huge respect for Professor Blyth and certainly commend his work—particularly his publication of four years ago, “Angrynomics”—to all members of the Parliament, as it makes an important contribution to understanding some of the challenges that we face.

The Scottish Government is committed to an independent Scotland that would be a full member of the European Union. By obtaining membership of the European Union as a full independent state while still enjoying close and cordial relations with the other nations of these islands, we would be able to take advantage of a huge single market, freedom of movement and many of the other benefits that would be conferred. That would offer Scotland a much more positive future than being in a United Kingdom that has committed, against all its economic and social interests, to maintain a distinct position of being in a relationship with the European Union that is completely contradictory to its interests.

Question 2 has not been lodged.