Competition policy and economic governance in an independent Scotland

The SNP’s Sustainable Growth Commission updated an economic case for Scottish independence, based on strong future economic growth over many years, however without any discussion of the many institutions that would be required for economic governance and oversight to help meet such enhanced growth. An independent Scotland would require a new set of regulatory bodies – plus a system of appeals and sufficient democratic oversight by the Scottish Parliament. The Sustainable Growth Commission report draws heavily on the examples of Denmark, Finland and New Zealand whose models of economic governance and oversight vary considerably. This article reviews the constraints and freedoms that an independent Scotland would face in developing its future competition policy and economic governance.