GERS: is this why it always says the Scottish deficit is so large?

If we assume there's more spending outwith Scotland for Scotland's benefit than there's spending within Scotland for the rest of the UK's benefit, though this is probably a pretty fair assumption giving the relative size and population of England, Wales and Northern Ireland versus Scotland, unless a greatly disproportionate amount of government agencies are based here.

If we assume there's more spending outwith Scotland for Scotland's benefit than there's spending within Scotland for the rest of the UK's benefit, though this is probably a pretty fair assumption giving the relative size and population of England, Wales and Northern Ireland versus Scotland, unless a greatly disproportionate amount of government agencies are based here.

They are. Scotland has 8.3% of the UK population, 10.3% of UK civil service jobs. That's 24% more than its share (although their median wages are 8% lower, 24% more staff still means Scotland receives far more civil service money than it contributes)

/r/Scotland Thread Parent Link - taxresearch.org.uk