Salmond needs to say how he would pay for welfare and pensions

A detailed analysis of UK Government spending in Scotland over the past decade has shown that in no year has oil and gas revenue covered the welfare and pensions bill.

Almost £100billion has been spent on benefits and pensions since records began in 2002, while the total revenue from oil and gas was £59.7billion.

In the most recent year for which figures are available, the amount spent on welfare in Scotland was almost three times more.

Alex Salmond has failed to say how he would continue to pay benefits to the most vulnerable in society, and how he would look after our pensioners, under separation.

Ruth Davidson said:

"Scotland is stronger and wealthier for being part of the United Kingdom and benefits from being part of one of the most successful economic unions in the world.

"Evidence of this, is the amount of welfare and pension spending in Scotland over the past ten years, which has far exceeded oil and gas revenues alone.

"This is about sharing resources and standing together with your neighbours and ensuring help is available to the poorest in society.

"If we are to have a mature debate about Scotland's future, then the onus is on the SNP, who want to separate Scotland from the rest of the United Kingdom, to explain how they would continue to ensure our most vulnerable are looked after.

"Alex Salmond must really come clean on the costs of separation.

"The enormous security of being part of a unified welfare and pensions is another reason why, in so many ways, Scotland is better off as part of a strong Britain."

Table (£millions)

Year              Welfare and pensions      Oil and gas

2002-03        9,992                               5,097

2003-04       10,975                              4,284

2004-05        11,456                             5,183

2005-06         11,908                            9,384

2006-07       12,199                              8,924

2007-08        12,701                             7,464

2008-09        13,842                            12,925

2009-10        15,039                            6,491

TOTAL            98,112                            59,752

Source: Scotland Office

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