The Westminster government talks a lot about the importance of jobs. Yet today’s “spring statement” - effectively an emergency budget - is only going to do further harm to Scottish businesses, Scottish jobs and the Scottish economy.

Scotland has a measure of devolution - but the levers of power when it comes to the economy are still held by Westminster.

The Scottish government’s budget is set according to what England’s politicians put in place for England. The cuts in welfare and government operational spending will impact Scotland’s budget next year.

But also the Scottish government cannot borrow money for infrastructure so it depends on the UK to support that. It also cannot affect the damaging tax on jobs.

Scotland cannot rejoin the European Union or even the single market, the biggest possible game changer for the Scottish economy.

Only with independence can the Scottish people elect a government with the powers to act according to Scotland’s needs and priorities.