'Abnormally' low living standards in UK make Scottish independence 'urgent': Scotland's first minister

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - The United Kingdom’s underwhelming economic performance sticks out as “abnormal” compared to its neighbors in northwestern Europe, making independence for Scotland a matter of urgency, said Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf on Monday.

In a landmark address at Glasgow University on Monday, Yousaf laid out the Scottish government's comprehensive plan for industrial strategy and economic development in the event of Scottish independence.

Yousaf argued that Scotland must choose between accepting its place in the current low-productivity, high-inequality economic model within the UK or forging a new and improved path through independence.

"The Brexit-based Westminster economic model is failing Scotland. The prize of independence is raised productivity and living standards," he said.

"The UK is abnormal in respect of its poor economic performance compared with its neighbors in northwest Europe. That means living standards are also abnormally low. It is my argument that independence is urgent precisely because living standards are top of people's concerns," Yousaf asserted.

As a cornerstone of the proposed plan, Yousaf proposed a new ministry for an independent Scotland.

"In an independent Scotland, we would establish a new Ministry for Industrial Policy to ensure industrial policy has the appropriate profile and status within and beyond government. This new government department would have ultimate responsibility for the design and delivery of industrial policy with the new policy levers of independence," he said.

Joining the European Union and attracting large-scale investment are two other critical pillars of the economic foundation that an independent Scotland would seek to build, he added.

Yousaf expressed confidence that these strategic initiatives, coupled with a dedicated focus on industrial policy, would contribute to a stronger, more resilient Scottish economy.

In 2016, Scottish voters were overwhelmingly opposed to the Brexit referendum, which passed and its plan ultimately carried out.

A 2014 independence referendum in Scotland was defeated, but since Brexit, Scottish leaders have unsuccessfully pushed for a new referendum, with the idea gaining popularity after Britain left the EU.