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Commenting on the Scottish Government鈥檚 GERS figures published today, the Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore said:

鈥淭he Scottish Government鈥檚 own figures make a compelling case for Scotland remaining in the United Kingdom. On every measure, they show Scotland running at a deficit听- with a current budget deficit of 拢9 billion including all the oil revenues.

鈥淭hey illustrate the uncertainty an economy based on oil would experience from year to year. Today鈥檚 figures show a 拢9 billion plunge into the red which wipes out the modest surplus of previous years many times over.

鈥淭hat would have huge consequences for Scotland if it was not able to spread the risk of that volatility as part of a wider UK economy. There is no escaping that fact no matter how creatively the Scottish Government听 interprets these figures.

鈥淭he year-on-year variations of the oil prices are far better managed in a UK-wide economy. It means Scotland can benefit in the good times and manage its risk effectively when the price drops. As part of the United Kingdom we share in the risks and we share in the recovery.

鈥淚t is vital that we get Scotland鈥檚 economy back on a healthy footing and the UK Government is working hard to achieve that through measures such as cutting corporation tax, reducing the national insurance burden and tackling the deficit.

鈥淪cotland has two governments and they must work together towards the common goal of growth in our economy.鈥�

The GERS figures show the estimated current budget balance for the public sector in Scotland was a deficit of:

• 拢14.9 billion excluding North Sea revenue

• 拢14.4 billion including a per capita share of North Sea revenue

• 拢9.0 billion including an illustrative geographical share of North Sea revenue

听In 2009-10, Scotland鈥檚 estimated net fiscal balance was a deficit of:

-听 拢19.9 billion excluding North Sea oil revenue

• 拢19.3 billion including a per capita share of North Sea revenue

• 拢14 billion including an illustrative geographical share of North Sea revenue

听