Scotland’s large natural resources yet the poverty and austerity that much of its population endures 

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By Jim Stamper

With Scotland’s population just over 8% of the UK’s, Scotland effectively gives over 90% of the income from our oil and gas to the rest of the UK.  With the Scottish Stock Exchange amalgamated into the London Stock Exchange in 1973 conveniently no income is allocated as coming from Scotland. 

Also, according to National Grid statistics, up to 3.5 Gigawatts of electricity can be transferred between Scotland and England, 90% going from Scotland to England.  

Also a proposal exists to construct a link enabling the transport of up to 2GW of energy from Scotland’s renewable energy reserves to the rest of the UK.  Enough energy for two million homes.  Presumably the existing 3.5 Gigawatts capacity is enough for 3.5 million homes.  The UK Government is supporting the proposed erection of infrastructure including huge pylons, very large sub stations and battery storage fields, adversely affecting areas in Scotland, while Scotland will contribute to the cost.

There’s also plans for a large hydrogen gas producing plant near Aberdeen with 3.5 gigawatt potential output with pipes to England. 

People are generally oblivious to the extent of what Scotland has effectively given and continues to give to the rest of the UK.  Instead we are made to feel reliant on them for our financial survival.  While, in fact, our public spending on the NHS, education, policing, public housing etc. has been deliberately cut since 2010 by UK Government Austerity Economic policies.

It is difficult to disagree with Mr. Jamieson’s conclusion that “The UK is actually a ‘Greater England’ project masquerading as a voluntary union, but designed to use Scotland’s resources to keep greater England afloat on the world stage”.

Sources:

Population estimates for the UK, England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)

Scotland-England Electricity Transfers | Energy Matters (euanmearns.com)

Subsea project to bring renewable power from Scotland to England awarded £1.8bn | Energy industry | The Guardian

The need for EGL1 – Eastern Green Link 1

EGL1 – Will be able to transport up to 2GW of renewable energy from Scotland’s rich renewable energy reserves, particularly offshore wind, to consumers in the rest of the UK. That’s enough energy for two million homes.”

Kintore 3GW hydrogen production project moves forward (grampianonline.co.uk)

Statera Energy awards Worley FEED contract for first 500MW phase of Kintore Hydrogen | Statera Energy

8 thoughts on “Scotland’s large natural resources yet the poverty and austerity that much of its population endures 

  1. Where does the 90% of our energy going down south come from? I dont doubt it, but would prefer a link in the case of a debate.

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  2. It is IMPOSSIBLE to disagree with Mr. Jamieson’s conclusion – Whether it be the 30+year old energy map not updated since privatisation, or the Norway Peterhead interlink which has lingered forever on SG plans (gazumped in favour of the Drax complex), or the wholly avoidable UK energy crisis, the money and energy which has been sucked into a tiny area of southern England for the last 50 years has done little for Scotland other than bring impoverishment…

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  3. At least 25% is exported worth £8Billion. The UK renewable targets are achieved from Scottish renewable investments. Hickley Point years late and £Billions over budget.

    Thatcher took the equivalent of £Billions of Oil & Gas revenues out of Scotland. Lied about it and left Scotland in poverty. 15% unemployment. Funded the bankers corruption. Bankers fund the Tory Party. Built Canary Wharf and Tilbury Docks. 26 miles. The only place unemployment was under 10% was London S/E. NI unemployment 20%. The Troubles caused by Westminster Gov. Illegal Partition of Ireland.

    NI gets EU concessions and support Scotland does does not get. Scotland did not vote for Brexit.

    Westminster spends £13Billion a year over ten years on decommissioning Nuclear. £130Billion. Increasing over time. Nuclear dumped in Scotland.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Scotland being sucked dry …then , when it has no further resources to strip out , the UK Government will say ‘NOW is the time for a second referendum !”

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Westminster and the complicit English media work very well in tandem. The first ensures Scotland will never be successful and the second ensures Scots will never believe they can be.

    Liked by 1 person

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