Scottish independence: Boost for nationalists as economy grows at faster rate than rest of country

Scottish nationalists beat the drum for independence today as figures showed the country reclaiming its pre-recession peak ahead of the rest of the country.

The Scottish Executive’s statistics showed the nation’s economy expanded 1% in the first quarter of 2014 and exceeded its 2008 high to a record level.

The wider UK is not expected to reclaim pre-recession heights until second-quarter estimates are published by the Office for National Statistics next week.

Employment in Scotland increased by 76,000 over the year to reach a record 2.59 million, ONS jobs figures showed separately today. The data come two months before a referendum on independence which has the “no” campaigners ahead in the polls.

But the SNP finance secretary John Swinney said: “There can be no doubt that Scotland has the economic potential to be an independent country.”

Last week the Office for Budget Responsibility cut forecasts for North Sea oil revenues, dealing a blow to nationalists.