Scotland would be 'impoverished' by independence claims UK Trade Minister

Scottish independence poses a greater threat to businesses in Scotland than "any friction" caused by Brexit, a Tory trade minister claimed.

Conservative frontbencher Graham Stuart told MPs Scotttish workers would be “impoverished” without the United Kingdom.

Stuart said that independence would result in a “loss of opportunity”  and that Scottish companies complain to him about the “relentless pursuit of Scottish independence”.

The Minister hit out in the Commons as SNP MP Martyn Day highlighted concerns raised by lorry drivers over a no-deal Brexit, and asked for assurances that there will be minimal disruption.

Day later said he was "staggered" by the claim, which he branded a deflection from "reckless Brexit".

Stuart said the Government has been working “flat out” to “minimise the challenges” when the transition period ends on December 31.

He went on: “What Scottish businesses raise with me is the biggest threat to their trade isn’t any friction as we move to the new settlement on the EU border.

“It’s the fact that 60 per cent of all Scottish exports go to England, Wales and Northern Ireland – more than the rest of the world combined, and it’s what that threat poses to Scottish business that really worries them for the long term.”

Stuart, Carlisle-born and educated at a private school in Scotland, said: “It’s the reach, power and financial heft of this United Kingdom which allowed us to be the only top ten global exporter to increase exports last year, that allowed us to attract more foreign direct investment than any other country in Europe.

“Shorn of the UK’s assets, businesses and more importantly workers in places like Scotland would be impoverished.”

Afterwards, Day said he was staggered by the Minister's response.

He said: "Despite pursuing its reckless Brexit plans which will cost tens of thousands of jobs in Scotland alone and hit our economy Tory Ministers shamefully deflect away from their own record and the damage they are set to inflict.

"The reality is that this Tory government's brinkmanship over Brexit and tactics to run down the clock - in the middle of a deadly global pandemic - has pushed businesses to the cliff-edge, put people's livelihoods and countless jobs at risk. The only way to protect our interests and place in Europe is by becoming an independent country."