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Scottish independence: Rivals both say Scots 'better off with us' Scottish independence: Rivals both say Scots 'better off with us'
(about 3 hours later)
Competing claims about the costs and benefits of Scottish independence have been set out to voters.Competing claims about the costs and benefits of Scottish independence have been set out to voters.
The Scottish government said everyone in Scotland would be £1,000 better off a year, in the event of a "Yes" vote in September's independence referendum.The Scottish government said everyone in Scotland would be £1,000 better off a year, in the event of a "Yes" vote in September's independence referendum.
But UK ministers said people would benefit from staying in the Union by £1,400 per person, per year. But UK ministers said in their analysis people would benefit from staying in the UK by £1,400 per person, per year.
Each side of the debate also sought to discredit the figures put forward by their opponents.Each side of the debate also sought to discredit the figures put forward by their opponents.
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said the Treasury's calculations had been "blown to smithereens", while Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander accused SNP ministers of offering voters a "bogus bonus".Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said the Treasury's calculations had been "blown to smithereens", while Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander accused SNP ministers of offering voters a "bogus bonus".
A new Scottish government paper said an independent Scotland would begin life with its public finances in a "strong" position, and could see its economy £5bn per year better off by 2029-30.A new Scottish government paper said an independent Scotland would begin life with its public finances in a "strong" position, and could see its economy £5bn per year better off by 2029-30.
Mr Salmond said Scotland was one of the world's wealthiest countries, but needed the powers of independence to realise its full potential.Mr Salmond said Scotland was one of the world's wealthiest countries, but needed the powers of independence to realise its full potential.
He told the BBC: "We put forward the benefit over a period of 15 years. We calculate that as each individual in Scotland being £1,000 better off - that's a £5bn bonus, or a family £2,000 better off a year."He told the BBC: "We put forward the benefit over a period of 15 years. We calculate that as each individual in Scotland being £1,000 better off - that's a £5bn bonus, or a family £2,000 better off a year."
The Scottish government paper said:The Scottish government paper said:
Scotland in numbers
The first minister said his government's calculations were "based on reason and logic", as he hit out at UK government claims it could cost up to £2.7bn for an independent Scotland to set up the public bodies it needed, which made use of London School of Economics research.
LSE academic Patrick Dunleavy later posted on his Twitter account: "UK Treasury press release on #Scotland costs of government badly misrepresents LSE research."
Mr Salmond added: "Danny Alexander's calculations have been blown to smithereens, because the Treasury relied on the work of the LSE professor, Professor Dunleavy, who this morning has accused them of grossly misrepresenting his work."
But Mr Alexander branded the Scottish government's £5bn figure a "bogus bonus", adding: "They're desperately trying to distract attention from that fundamental question, that there simply wouldn't be the same level of resources available for public services if Scotland were independent."
The Treasury published its own paper outlining what the UK government sees as challenges to an independent Scotland, including an ageing population, declining oil revenues and the potential for higher interest rates.