Spending gap trends
Spending gap detail: which categories drive it
This chart shows the difference in spending between Scotland and the UK by spending category over time. Scotland consistently benefits from higher total (devolved and reserved) spending in almost all categories.
When viewing the spending gap on a £ per head basis, none of that gap can be explained by costs which are allocated on a per head basis (i.e. defence, UK debt interest, international affairs, Treasury, HMRC, Cabinet Office etc.) - what we are observing here are actual differences in levels of spending per head between Scotland and the UK.
Separate Insights discuss each of the main spending categories, but it should be noted that Accounting adjustments and Housing and community amenities are special cases.