Protesters 'seize' Edinburgh Castle under Magna Carta | How much is Scotland spending?

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The latest Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) figures, due to be published on Wednesday, are expected to show the notional deficit of the country has risen massively as a result of huge public spending to deal with the Covid pandemic.

The statistics, which are contentious as a result of Scotland’s constitutional divide, will be revealed by finance secretary Kate Forbes, and will estimate the difference between what Scotland has raised in taxation and what is spent on public services.

Last year the annual financial report showed the country's deficit was around three-and-a-half times bigger than the UK’s in percentage terms, despite a record increase in revenues. The deficit stood at £15.1bn – £2bn higher than the previous year.

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