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The Growth Commission will tomorrow argue small economies have consistently outperformed larger ones by about 0.7 percentage points a year over the last 25 years. Its report mentions New
Zealand, Finland and Denmark as specific role models for an independent Scotland but it also refers to other examples set by the likes of Hong Kong, Singapore, Ireland and the Netherlands.
The blueprint points to a focus on innovation, a highly skilled workforce, and culture of cross-party political co-operation to boost the economy. It also cites a friendly approach to
migration and argues taxation policy should be focused on economic development, rather than competing as a low-tax nation. Mr Wilson said: "There is nothing intrinsic in any of the best
performing economies that Scotland does not have. "To secure an improvement in our performance will take purposeful strategic effort for over a generation. "We require world class
policy, world class institutions and cross partisan effort if we are to achieve our ambition to create a much more successful economy and cohesive and fair society." But Scottish Tory
deputy leader Jackson Carlaw said: "This is exactly the kind of nonsense that turned people off separation the first time round. "The SNP can pluck out any number of fanciful
examples, but it won’t change the fact Scotland is far more prosperous and secure as part of the UK." Labour leader Richard Leonard added: "The people of Scotland will rightly be
wary of fantasy numbers plucked from thin air by the SNP and promised to every man,woman and child in the country in the event of Scotland leaving the UK." The comments come after
leading economist Professor Ronald MacDonald warn that any SNP plan to ditch the pound in favour of a new currency could cost up to £300 billion to prop up.