Scotland’s Future: It’s in your hands

Copyright

© Crown copyright, 2014

You may use and re-use this publication (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence v2.0.

Any email enquiries regarding the use and re-use of this information resource should be sent to: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

First published by The Scottish Government, June 2014
ISBN: 978-1-78412-570-7 (web only)

E-book in EPUB format first published by The Scottish Government, June 2014
ISBN: 978-1-78412-571-4 (EPUB)

E-book in MOBI format first published by The Scottish Government, June 2014
ISBN: 978-1-78412-572-1 (MOBI)

The Scottish Government
St Andrew’s House
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG

Produced for The Scottish Government by APS Group Scotland, 21 Tennant Street, Edinburgh EH6 5NA
DPPAS31151 (06/14)

Published by The Scottish Government, June 2014

A once-in-a-generation opportunity

Everyone in Scotland will benefit if we take the future into our own hands – but a Yes vote is especially significant for young people.

It’s you who will be central to unlocking the potential of a vibrant, independent Scotland.

Many of you will have grown up with the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood. You already know that it will always work in the interests of the people of Scotland – in those areas over which it already has devolved power, like education, health and justice.

This year’s referendum is our chance to go further. If we vote No, decisions about taxes, the economy, defence and social security will still be taken by others.

We won’t get every decision right but our policies will reflect the views and wishes of the people of Scotland. By voting Yes we will ensure that all decisions about Scotland – not just some of them – are taken by the people who care most about Scotland. The future of Scotland should be in the hands of the people who live and work here.

This publication sets out what independence will mean for Scotland whichever party is elected and the current Scottish Government's priorities if it is the first government of an independent Scotland.

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make Scotland more democratic than it has been for your parents – and your grandparents.

A stronger Scotland

Scotland’s people are its greatest resource. But it has lots of other strengths and advantages too.

Scotland is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. It ranks 14th in world league tables – four places higher than the UK as a whole – and can afford to be an independent country.

It is rich in human talent. It has vast natural resources – such as oil and gas – and huge potential in wave, wind and tidal energy. And, it has world-class universities and world-leading industries like food, drink, tourism, financial services, creative industries, life sciences and manufacturing.

* Wealth as measured by GDP per head in the OECD. Source Scottish Government/OECD

The UK Government in Westminster currently makes all the big decisions about our economy. With independence we will be able to decide what to do to suit our own circumstances. We could thrive if we had an economic policy designed to help businesses in Scotland.

The Scottish Parliament has already shown what can be done. Since 1999 it has provided free personal care for the elderly, kept our National Health Service in the public sector and restored free university education for our students.

These, and other, achievements wouldn’t have been possible without a Scottish Parliament – and with independence and the full range of powers, we will be able to do so much more.

With independence, Scotland can become an even more outward looking nation than we are now. We can become a member of global institutions and the EU in our own right – and take our place among the nations of the world.

Greater opportunities for everyone

For Scotland’s young people, independence would mean you’ll have more opportunities to succeed and build a career here in Scotland if you choose.

The current Scottish Government would use the powers of independence to commit to a ‘Youth Guarantee’. This is something other countries in Europe already have. It gives young people under 25 an apprenticeship, training place or job – or the chance to continue in education – just four months after they’ve either left education or become unemployed. We have made a start but the UK won’t let us do more. Scotland is losing out as a result.

* Source: THES University Rankings

With independence, we can ensure that every child and young person in Scotland has a better start in life. We can do this by investing in childcare to match the best in the world. By addressing child poverty we can make sure everyone has the chance to learn and develop.

In an independent Scotland we would use every resource available to reduce youth unemployment.

And we won’t have the Bedroom Tax, nuclear missiles currently stock-piled on our shores, or rising child poverty.

1. Source: Professor Alex Kemp, Aberdeen University (in the 30 years from 2011)
2. Source: Scottish Government
3. Source: Scottish Government

A fairer and more equal society

The United Kingdom is currently one of the most unequal societies in Europe. This inequality limits opportunities for everyone – and is the result of decisions taken by UK governments of different parties over a long period of time.

Inequality damages lives forever. It is a waste – both morally and economically. Charities estimate that up to 100,000 more children will be living in poverty as a result of social security changes being made by the UK Government.

In an independent Scotland we would be able to establish our own welfare system with our own priorities - providing a system that supports the most vulnerable and helps young people into work. This would be a stark contrast to the UK government’s austerity measures which are set to have a negative impact on people and families for years to come.

After independence, this Scottish Government would establish a Fair Work Commission to set a national minimum wage for Scotland. At the very least this would increase in line with inflation, benefiting the thousands of young people who are in full or part-time jobs.

Some of the fairest and most successful countries in the world are independent nations of a similar size to Scotland.

4. Source: Scottish Government
5. Source: Visit Scotland
6. Source: Scottish Government

Questions and Answers

Independence is a major step for all of us. It’s only natural you will have questions. These are some of the things that have come up most often when we’ve been speaking to young people like you.

I’ve never voted before. Is a Yes vote just a vote for the SNP?

The referendum on whether Scotland should be an independent country is different to the elections for the Scottish or Westminster Parliaments. You are being asked a single question and are not being asked which political party – if any – you usually support.

Will young people get the right to vote in future elections?

We hope so. The current Scottish Government would like to see voting rights extended to 16 and 17 year-olds in future Scottish Parliamentary elections. After independence a ‘constitutional convention’ would be appointed by the Scottish Parliament and it would decide whether to change the rules.

What rights would young people have in an independent Scotland?

After independence, the current Scottish Government would like to see children’s and young people’s rights included in Scotland’s written constitution.

Will an 18 year-old with a family get a decent wage in an independent Scotland?

Yes. The national minimum wage is currently a matter for the UK Government. For the last six years it has failed to rise in line with the cost of living.

After independence, this Scottish Government would establish a Fair Work Commission to set the national minimum wage for Scotland. At the very least, this would increase in line with inflation.

Will there still be free higher education in an independent Scotland?

Free higher education has only been possible because education has been devolved to Scotland. The current Scottish Government is committed to free education after independence.

What will independence mean for child poverty?

Successive UK governments have failed to tackle inequality and child poverty in Scotland. It’s estimated that child poverty will increase by a third by 2020 due to the UK Government’s welfare cuts.

With full powers of independence we will be able to address child poverty by taking actions that we can’t now – including changes to the tax system, to wage levels, to welfare and benefits as well as to the system of childcare.

How will independence help create jobs for young people?

To create more jobs for younger people, we will need to work together more effectively. Independence will allow us to integrate the work done by job centres, by skills agencies and by our schools and colleges – in ways we can’t do at the moment.

Will independence address unfairness in society?

One of the main reasons for independence is to give Scotland the powers to make our society fairer.

After independence, the current Scottish Government would like to see a written constitution – and young people will be involved in deciding what would be in that.

What about pensions?

After independence, the state pension will continue to be paid in the same way as it is now. After an agreed period of time, the Scottish Government will be responsible for paying it rather than the UK Government.

Will we be able to run the National Health Service in an independent Scotland? Will I still get good healthcare?

Yes and yes. The Scottish Government is already responsible for Scotland’s NHS and has been making improvements all the time. Yet, with a Yes vote, we will be able to do so much more to improve health in Scotland – and we will be able to safeguard the NHS as a free public service.

After independence, what would our place in the world be?

With independence, Scotland can become an even more outward looking nation than we are now.

With independence we will be a member of global institutions. We can take our own place among the nations of the world. We will also be welcomed into the EU on our own merits – and will finally be able to speak for ourselves on important issues such as farming, fisheries and the creation of jobs.

Will an independent Scotland still have an army?

Yes. Scotland would have its own defence forces. These would ensure that Scotland is able to secure its borders as well as deter attacks and protect its citizens. It would also be able to contribute to international peace keeping.

What will independence mean for schools in Scotland?

Education is already almost fully devolved to Scotland and our system is performing very well. But there are still problems with poverty and these can affect young people’s ability to learn. Morally and economically that is a terrible waste. Independence will allow us to link education to benefits and taxation – and, to address the problems arising from poverty.

Scotland's future is in your hands

Young people have the most to gain from a Yes vote on 18 September.

There is no doubt that Scotland can be independent – even those who oppose independence concede that. We believe Scotland should be independent.

For further information on the forthcoming independence referendum visit our website www.scotreferendum.com