Scotland sends exactly £91.4bn to London and gets back a wholly estimated amount based on 25 out 26 figures which are estimates

A reader emailed to ask –

I have seen various figures for the total sum of Tax raised in Scotland varying from £70Billion to £90Billion and remitted directly to Westminster. Is it possible to confirm the exact figure?

In 2024-25, total public sector tax revenue attributed to Scotland was £91.4 billion. This is the latest figure from the Scottish Government’s Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) 2024-25 report, published 13 August 2025. It covers revenue raised in Scotland through both devolved taxes (controlled by the Scottish Parliament) and reserved taxes (collected and mostly retained by the UK Treasury/HMRC).1

This leads me to think –

How much do we get back? Allegedly £117.6bn including the share England’s debt we’d never have as a long-term export surplus economy

According to prominent critics (notably economist Richard Murphy in analyses from 2017), 25 out of 26 income/revenue figures in GERS are estimates.2

Are there other sources of wealth in Scotland which contribute to the resources of the UK?

Yes, Scotland contributes to the UK’s overall resources and economy in several ways beyond direct tax revenues. These include economic output (GDP), exports, key industries, investment, and human capital. The main official source for understanding this is the interplay between GERS (for public finances) and GDP/exports data from the Scottish Government and ONS. 3

Does this suggest that compared to other countries which have become independent Scotland has the resources to do even better than most

Yes, in several important respects, Scotland’s current resources and economic position compare favourably to many countries that have become independent in the modern era — suggesting strong potential to achieve (or exceed) the outcomes of many successful small nations.

The data from GERS, GDP, and exports indicate Scotland has more favourable starting resources and human capital than many countries that gained independence and later thrived. This supports the view of strong potential to do well — or even outperform many peers — as an independent nation, especially given its energy transition opportunities and export base.4

Sources:

  1. https://www.gov.scot/publications/government-expenditure-revenue-scotland-2024-25/
  2. https://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2017/08/25/murphy-on-gers/
  3. https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2024-0126/
  4. https://www.gov.scot/publications/independence-modern-world-wealthier-happier-fairer-not-scotland-summary/

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5 thoughts on “Scotland sends exactly £91.4bn to London and gets back a wholly estimated amount based on 25 out 26 figures which are estimates”

  1. If there was a GERS equivalent for every British colony which wanted independence then according to Westminster NONE of them would be Independent today !

    It’s like a rigged ”shell game ” with Westminster always winning !

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  2. AI tells me that the block grant this year was £50 billion. So I don’t understand where the £117.6 billion figure comes from.

    The block grant to Scotland is £50 billion, following the Main Estimates for the 2025–26 financial year. This annual lump-sum transfer from the UK Treasury funds the majority of the Scottish Government budget, allowing it to manage devolved public services such as health, education, and transport.

    How it is calculated

    The core block grant is determined using the Barnett formula. This mechanism ensures that whenever the UK Government increases or decreases spending on comparable public services in England, the Scottish Government receives a proportional, population-based share of that change.

    How it is adjusted

    Because Scotland has extensive tax-raising powers and social security responsibilities, the headline figure is adjusted to create a final, usable budget:

    • Block Grant Adjustments (BGAs): The grant is reduced to account for the revenue Scotland now collects through Scottish Income Tax and other devolved taxes, as the UK Government no longer collects these funds on Scotland’s behalf.
    • Social Security Adjustments: The grant is increased to account for the added costs of administering devolved welfare programs, like the Scottish Child Payment.

    For the most accurate assessment of how this money is allocated in your local area, check the Scottish Budget breakdown.

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  4. Look up the UK Gov and Scottish Gov accounts. Easily compared.

    The Westminster Gov borrows £100Billion and spends it in England. Scotland losing out £10Billion. Scotland has to make repayments on money not borrowed or spent in Scotland.

    Scotland pays too much for Defence. 180,000 military personnel. 10,000 based in Scotland. Paying for Trident and redundant weaponry.

    Scotland has lost £Billions to Brexit. Scotland in surplus in fuel and energy, and nearer the source, pays more.

    Scotland has to pay for Westminster bureaucracy. Scotland has to pay for all the UK government jobs around the Mall. Scotland has to pay for London transport. Subsidising Heathrow etc. HS2 and Hickley Point a total waste of money. Years late and over budget.

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  5. I still stick to my interpretation that the vast Scottish revenues (and resources) are taken by England, not sent willingly to England. It’s tragic, and sickening anyway. 😏

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