Benefits of the UK booklet going to every household in Scotland
Scottish Secretary launches booklet explaining what staying in the United Kingdom means for Scotland.
Every household in Scotland will receive a booklet explaining the benefits of remaining part of the United Kingdom, Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael announced today.
The 16 page booklet called What Staying in the United Kingdom Means for Scotland will start arriving through all Scottish letter boxes from June 23.
Mr Carmichael said the Government had to ‘give everyone in Scotland every opportunity to make an informed decision in September’. He said the new booklet was a direct response to demands from the public for simple, factual information in a clear format. The Scottish Independence Referendum will take place on September 18.
Over the past eighteen months the UK Government has produced 14 Scotland Analysis papers on topics such as currency, welfare, defence, energy and the European Union. In total, these analysis papers run to more than 1000 pages. The UK Government has also summarised many of the key findings of the Scotland Analysis work in the In the Know factsheets.
Mr Carmichael said:
The Government has produced plenty of detailed analysis and evidence over the past year of so explaining why Scotland benefits from remaining part of a strong United Kingdom.
On matters like currency, pensions, trade and defence the evidence is very clear. Scotland is better off staying in the UK and better off having the best of both worlds. We have more opportunities and greater security in the UK while also building up the powers of the Scottish Parliament.
We want to give everyone in Scotland every opportunity to make an informed decision in September. That is why we are providing everyone with clear and simple facts. We are summarising the findings of HM Government analysis into shorter formats such as booklets and fact sheets. We want to make the material as user friendly as possible.
From June 23, every home in Scotland will receive a booklet explaining the benefits for Scotland of remaining part of the UK. I hope people will take the time to read it. If people want to know more there’ll be further material available online or direct from the UK Government.
This is a once in a lifetime, irreversible decision so people need to be sure about the choice they make in September. This booklet presents the facts and will help make the arguments clearer.