Scottish First Minister pledges investment

In a speech regarding the Scottish economy at the University of Glasgow, Yousaf pledged large-scale investment in competitive sectors should Scotland gain its independence from England.

Underlining that economic changes in an independent Scotland would not happen overnight, Yousaf noted that while there would be challenges, England's economic problems are "systemic."

Yousaf remarked, "England is an outlier in terms of its poor economic performance compared to its neighbors in northwest Europe. This means living standards are abnormally low. These trends had already begun to show their effects even before Brexit. Leaving the European Union means a further long-term blow to the economy."

Humza Yousaf said that the Conservative Party and the Labour Party in England "do not offer new hope or an alternative" to the difficulties caused by failed economic policies.

Emphasizing that Scotland has a choice, however, Yousaf noted the following:

"This choice is that we can accept our place as part of an economic model with low productivity and high inequality, or we can decide to chart a different, better path. This means taking on the powers we need to achieve the higher, more normal living standards that similar independent countries enjoy."