TORY and SNP attempts to use deficit figures to back their rival nationalisms ignore the key question of who owns our resources, Labour peer Pauline Bryan told the Morning Star today.

The annual Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland report showed that Scotland’s deficit has dropped from 22.7 per cent of GDP to 12.3 per cent — but that’s still more than double the UK figure of 6.1 per cent.

Conservative MSP Liz Smith said the disparity showed “the huge benefits we all gain from being part of a strong United Kingdom,” with Britain’s overall lower deficit meaning Scots were “£2,184 better off.”