Scotland's deficit almost £15bn as North Sea oil revenues fall 97% in one year

Scotland's deficit has also grown from 9.1 per cent to 9.5 per cent, including its share of North Sea revenues, more than double the four per cent figure for the UK as a whole.

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The new statistics show that while the country's spending deficit has remained at around £15bn for the 2015-16 financial year, it spent £14.8bn more than it raised in taxes. Scotland's onshore revenues grew by £1.9 billion.

The figures also show that Scottish public sector revenue, including an illustrative geographic share of North Sea revenues, was estimated as £53.7 billion - the equivalent of £10,000 per person and about £400 per person lower than the UK average.

Meanwhile, public spending in Scotland totalled £68.6 billion.

This is equivalent to 9.1% of total UK public sector expenditure, and £12,800 per person, which is £1,200 per person greater than the UK average.

The UK's current spending deficit is £75.3bn.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said "the foundations of our economy remain strong".

She said: "The lower oil price has, of course, reduced offshore revenues, with a corresponding impact on our fiscal position - this underlines the fact that Scotland's challenge is to continue to grow our onshore economy.

"However, Scotland's long-term economic success is now being directly threatened by the likely impact of Brexit.

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"Today's figures come a day after analysis from the Scottish Government showed that taking Scotland out of the European Union and our place in the world's biggest single market would make the task of growing and diversifying the Scottish economy even harder."

Scottish Secretary David Mundell said: "Scotland weathered a dramatic slump in oil revenues last year because we are part of a United Kingdom that has at its heart a system for pooling and sharing resources across the country as a whole.

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"It is important that continues and the financial deal between the UK and Scottish governments, struck last year as part of the transfer of new tax and welfare powers to Holyrood, means real security for Scotland."

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said: "Today's figures should act as a reality check for those calling for another independence referendum.

"It's clearer than ever that Scotland benefits from pooling and sharing resources across the UK.

"Being part of the UK means higher spending on the public services like education and the health service that we all rely on. That's a strong, positive case for Scotland remaining in the UK - our most important social and economic union."

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: "The nationalists' case for independence has been swallowed up by a £14 billion black hole."

Patrick Harvie, Scottish Greens finance spokesman, said: "These figures will inevitably set off another round of empty rhetoric, just as they do every year, between those who think the SNP can do no wrong and those who think Scotland can never aspire to govern itself.

"In truth, the figures show what has been clear for years - that a strong future for Scotland's economy will depend on ending our reliance on oil and gas, and investing in the industries of the 21st century instead."

Scotland's Finance Secretary Derek Mackay said: "It is important to note that GERS represents Scotland's fiscal position under the current constitutional arrangements.

"The position if Scotland was to become independent would depend on a range of factors which are not reflected in this publication."

Scottish Conservative finance spokesman Murdo Fraser said: "Today's GERS analysis simply confirms the fact that Scotland benefits massively from being a member of the United Kingdom.

"This union dividend amounted to £1,600 for every man, woman and child last year, according to these figures.

"In recent days we have seen the First Minister fear-mongering over the UK's decision to leave the EU in the hope she can hide the flaws in her own separation plan.

"It is time she acted like a proper First Minister, ended her unwanted plan to take us back to another toxic referendum, and allowed Scotland to move on."