GERS: Scotland £2,417 More Per Head in Public Spending
Summary
The Scotland Office released 2023-24 GERS figures showing Scotland receives £2,417 more per head in public spending compared to the UK average. Scotland raised £88.5 billion in tax receipts (8.1% of UK revenue) against £111 billion in public spending (9.1% of UK spending). Scotland's notional deficit reached £22 billion or 10.4% of GDP, more than double the UK deficit of 4.5% of GDP. The UK Government confirmed its commitment to retaining the Barnett Formula and agreed funding arrangements.
What changed
The Scotland Office published 2023-24 Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) figures, reporting that Scotland benefits from £2,417 per head additional public spending compared to the UK average through wealth redistribution. Scotland raised £88.5 billion in tax receipts against £111 billion in public spending, representing 8.1% and 9.1% of UK totals respectively. The notional deficit stood at £22 billion (10.4% of GDP) versus the UK deficit of 4.5% of GDP.
The UK Government reaffirmed its commitment to the Barnett Formula and Fiscal Framework arrangements with Scotland, stating these enable higher spending on public services including schools and hospitals. This is an informational announcement rather than a regulatory or compliance action and does not create new obligations for businesses or individuals.
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Apr 16, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
News story
GERS stats show higher public spending for Scotland as part of UK
The annual Government Expenditure and Revenue report underlines the collective economic strength of the UK, says Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill
From: Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland and Kirsty McNeill MP Published 14 August 2024
The collective economic strength of the UK means higher spending on public services in Scotland, according to new figures released today [14 August].
The Scottish Government’s Government Expenditure and Revenue (GERS) figures show that people in Scotland benefit from £2,417 more per head of additional spending compared to the UK average, as a result of the redistribution of wealth throughout the UK.
In 2023-24, £88.5 billion in tax receipts was raised in Scotland through devolved and reserved taxation, with £111 billion in public spending for Scotland. That works out to 8.1 per cent of UK revenue and 9.1 per cent of spending.
The figures also reveal that the ‘notional deficit’ in Scotland grew to around £22 billion, or 10.4 per cent of GDP, more than double the UK deficit of 4.5 per cent of GDP.
The UK Government is committed to retaining the Barnett Formula and funding arrangements agreed with the Scottish Government in the Fiscal Framework, which enables this higher spending for Scotland, and working in partnership with the Scottish Government to drive economic growth in Scotland.
UK Government Minister for Scotland Kirsty McNeill said:
These figures underline the collective economic strength of the United Kingdom.
By pooling and sharing resources across the UK, Scots benefit by £2,417 more per head in public spending than the UK average. That means more money for schools and hospitals, if the Scottish Parliament chooses to invest in those areas.
Ensuring economic stability and then delivering economic growth are two of the driving missions of the UK Government. We have reset relationships with partners across the UK, and want to work closely with the Scottish Government to produce better results for people in Scotland.
The GERS figures can be found here.
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Published 14 August 2024
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