A new report by the TaxPayer's Alliance makes interesting but 'shocking' reading...

Although the collapse in North Sea revenue is partly to blame, the big issue is that Scotland's public spending is excessive and cannot be supported by its own economy.

• At £14.8bn Scotland's fiscal deficit last year was 9.5 per cent of Scottish GDP
• That was over twice the UK deficit, and higher than any other member of the EU, including Greece
• Despite sometime record oil prices, Scotland has run a deficit every single year since devolution in 1999
• Scotland's North Sea revenues have collapsed by £9.6bn since 2011-12, the equivalent of around six per cent of Scotland's GDP
• Despite this collapse in revenues, Scotland's public spending remains far in excess of England's. Spending per head is 20 per cent higher, equivalent to around six per cent of Scotland's GDP. This is sustained not by the Scottish economy, but by the continuing subsidy from English taxpayers via the Barnett Formula

To become an EU member, an independent Scotland would be forced to tackle its deficit, by raising taxes and cutting excessive public spending on things like free personal care for over 65s, free prescriptions and free university tuition.

Here at Punchline, we think it makes sound financial sense, not just for Scotland but for the whole of the UK, for Scotland to remain in the United Kingdom. We have a rocky few years ahead as Brexit takes effect and we all need to stick together.

Is the SNP a one trick pony and has Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland's First Minister, played a complete blinder or has she got her timing completely wrong?

What do you think? Email mark@moosemarketingandpr.co.uk