Scots Warned They Can't Afford Welfare Bill Under Independence

It seems the tab for the dole up north is a bit stiff

Scotland will not be able to afford its welfare bill if it leaves the Union, Iain Duncan Smith will warn today during a visit to Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The Work and Pensions Secretary will say that the annual benefit and pensions bill in Scotland is almost twice as much as the revenues raised each year from North Sea oil and gas.

He will add that welfare spending in Scotland is currently about six per cent higher than the average elsewhere in the United Kingdom. Scots also stand to become the biggest winners from the Coalition's forthcoming welfare reforms.