Scotland benefits from being part of UK, says Alistair Carmichael
Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael is delivering a lecture in Stirling The Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael is to set out the case for Scotland remaining in the UK union.
During a lecture in Stirling later, he will say Scotland gets more back from the UK than it puts in.
He plans to cite 20 reasons why Scotland benefits from being part of the UK, including more jobs, extra spending per head and safer banks.
The SNP said many of these gains could survive independence - as well as Scotland having full self-government.
The UK government minister will make a speech at Stirling University, highlighting issues raised in the Scotland Analysis programme, a series of papers designed to promote the UK ahead of the referendum.
He is expected to say that banks are safer, mortgages are cheaper and "public spending in Scotland is consistently 10% higher than the UK average".
He will say: "Right now, we get the benefits from natural resources like North Sea oil - but are able to manage the volatility in production and price as part of a much larger and diverse economy made up of 60 million individuals rather than just five; 4.5 million companies rather than 320,000 - a market with no boundaries, no borders, no customs - but with a stable UK currency that is respected and envied across the world; a single financial system, and a single body of rules and regulations."
Mr Carmichael will also highlight UK institutions such as the NHS and the BBC.
He will say: "These are just a few of the things that bind together our family in pride and endeavour. Shared values, shared effort, shared achievements. Why should we now break these things up?
"For too long we've let go unspoken the contribution that Scotland makes to the UK. And we've been equally silent on the benefits that we get from being part of it.
"2013 was the year when the UK government started putting the record straight. We're talking about a complex, detailed piece of analytical work - that's because what we have in the UK is a product of years, of decades worth of co-operation and negotiation - both within the UK and with our neighbours."
He will say banks ware safer, there is greater financial protection for savers and pensioners, cheaper mortgages and a single labour market which allows people to move freely within the UK for jobs.
"The list can - and does - go on," he will add. "And together these facts add up to make the positive case for Scotland in the UK."
'Transformational benefits'Responding to the speech, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "The Scottish government has published Scotland's Future which outlines in comprehensive detail the clear, transformational benefits of becoming an independent country.
"It illustrates how the powers of independence can be used to benefit individuals, families, communities and the nation as a whole - and it has economic growth, jobs and fairness at its heart.
"By contrast, the Westminster government is tearing apart our social security system, privatising public services and is determined to force through permanent austerity.
"It's time the UK government came clean on the damaging consequences of what will happen if powers are retained by Westminster."
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