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REX/Amer Ghazzal
UK News

Independent Scotland faces 'enormous added austerity', says Catholic MSP

Millions of people will vote yes or no to the question 'Should Scotland be an independent country?' when the polls open at 7am on 18th September.

During the campaign, the 'Yes' side has been challenged on issues such as currency, EU membership and pensions.

Catholic Labour MSP Michael McMahon told Premier that these questions still hadn't been answered and urged voters to choose no.

On the News Hour, he said there were too many risks involved in independence.

"My experience has been that we share concerns, social issues, political issues, economic issues with people right across our island," he said.

The Yes campaign says Scotland needs more powers to create a more prosperous and fairer economy, but Mr McMahon says that won't happen.

He added: "We've obtained many benefits from working closely with our friends and colleagues in other parts of Britain that have benefited us in Scotland.

"I don't see any reason to put that at risk."

In the last few weeks some supermarkets, but not all, have said that prices may rise if Scotland becomes independent.

The Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Bank have both said they may have to move their registered businesses to London if there is a yes vote but the SNP says this will not impact on jobs.

Many Christians have raised the issue of poverty as they consider which way to vote.

In Scotland, one in five children lives in poverty while in some parts that figure is one in three.

Mr McMahon rejected claims from the Yes camp the only way to cut that number was independence.

He said: "We know from all the economic analysis that's been done...that an independent Scotland would face enormous added austerity.

"The likelihood is that the best prospect of addressing poverty and social justice in Scotland in the future is to make the UK economy stronger and to direct the money we make from that growth to those who need it most."

Chief executive of the Yes campaign, Blair Jenkins, said: "People know that a 'Yes' vote is Scotland's one opportunity to achieve job-creating powers, protect our NHS from the damaging impact of Westminster cuts and privatisation, and ensure that never again do we get Tory governments imposed on Scotland that we have roundly rejected."

Hear the full interview with Michael McMahon:

Yesterday we spoke to a representative of the Yes campaign, you can find that full interview here.

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