UK offers Scotland more financial autonomy as polls predict close vote

The British government will offer Scotland more financial autonomy in an attempt to stop citizens from voting to separate from the United Kingdom. Chancellor George Osborne told BBC that Britain will unveil proposals in the coming days to give Scotland “much greater” fiscal and tax autonomy as recent polls show the country is swaying toward a “yes” vote on independence. A referendum will be held on Sept. 18 to give voters the option of gaining independence despite warnings of potential pitfalls from Britain.

There is no guarantee whatsoever that if Scotland votes ‘No’ we will get a single additional power for the Scottish Parliament.

Scottish Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon

If Scotland votes for independence, Osborne said they would not be able to use the British pound anymore, potentially damaging the country’s economy. Scottish Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Britain’s “Better Together” campaign seemed to be in panic as the vote for independence tightens. She said if Britain was serious about giving Scotland more power, officials would not have waited until two weeks before the vote to make the offer.

Europe Scotland independence