Future of the Union: In depth news, commentary and analysis from the Financial Times

Scottish independence

Scotland will decide in a referendum to be held on September 18, 2014 whether or not to end the 306-year-old union with England

From UK Jun 17, 2013

Scottish islands push for own devolution

A supporter of Scottish Independence proudly displays the Saltire flag

©Bloomberg

Island councils use independence vote to seek more powers

Editorial

Scottish questions

Economic case for independence remains unconvincing

Scotland’s future

Monetary options show the limits of independence

No good options for Scotland

Independence is not an escape from the UK’s economic woes

A pro-independence banner is seen attached to a barrier at St Andrew's House in Edinburgh, Scotland

©Reuters From UK Jun 12, 2013

Scotland warned over welfare system

Warning underscores complexity of disentangling UK institutions

From UK Jun 9, 2013

Scotland vote offers Tories a way back

Conservatives find themselves in step with public opinion

From UK Jun 4, 2013

Politicians and business clash on Scottish independence

Differences exposed over levers of economic policy

©Getty From COMPANIES Jun 2, 2013

Aberdeen rides the wave of oil prosperity

City is the focus for debate over Scottish national identity

Former Chancellor of the Exchequer and Labour MP, Alisdair Darling

©Charlie Bibby From UK May 24, 2013

Cybernats ‘bullying’ business into silence

Darling levels accusation at Scottish independence supporters

©Dreamstime From UK May 21, 2013

Salmond outlines case for Scottish independence

Report says Scotland would be better off if it left the UK

Comment and opinion

Analysis

Is it economics that will determine the ultimate destiny of the British isles’ constituent nations?

Chris Giles from UK May 22, 2013

Scottish debate uses economics as weapon

The combatants share little common ground on the secession debate’s burning issues

From UK May 16, 2013

‘Too easy’ for Scotland to leave UK

Former Canadian PM says nationalists have too much say in process

View of a floodlit Edinburgh Castle on the skyline at sunset with the lights of the city and illuminated landmarks in the foreground

©Dreamstime From UK May 1, 2013

Diplomats urged to focus on Scottish vote

Commons committee report highlights potential concerns

From UK Apr 23, 2013

Salmond dismisses warning on the pound

Scotland’s first minister says monetary union is in the interests of the rest of UK

From UK Apr 23, 2013

Scots ‘should stay in UK’ to keep pound

Osborne says ‘euro-style arrangement’ unlikely

From UK Apr 23, 2013

Scots face tough choices on currency

Sterling, a new Scottish pound or joining another monetary union are options

From UK Apr 23, 2013

UK currency union would be ‘unstable’

Chancellor to argue against SNP’s plan to link with rest of UK

From UK Apr 21, 2013

Loss of Scots notes price of independence

Treasury to outline plan for currency this week

From UK Apr 19, 2013

Economics at heart of UK debate

Prospects key to outcome of independence campaign

From UK Apr 17, 2013

Scotland sees economy beat rest of UK

Data reveal impressive fourth quarter figures

From UK Apr 10, 2013

Peers attack Scots’ plan to go it alone

Committee attacks arguments on currency, borrowing costs and EU membership

From UK Apr 4, 2013

Cameron battles for Trident and union

PM raises defence issue before Scots’ independence vote

From UK Apr 4, 2013

Salmond faced with constraints on sterling

Treasury will insist on budget control if independence passed

From UK Apr 4, 2013

PM warns over Scotland’s defence jobs

Cameron says Scottish exit would put industry employment at risk

From UK Mar 21, 2013

Scotland sets date for independence vote

Scots will decide on September 18 next year whether to leave UK

From UK Mar 20, 2013

North Sea buoys Scots’ independence hopes

Untapped oil riches thrown into self-determination debate

From UK Feb 24, 2013

Currency battle looms for Scotland

Deficit cap would be policed in London

From UK Feb 11, 2013

Scotland may seek currency union with UK

Economists suggest keeping the pound in the event of independence

From UK Feb 11, 2013

Scottish minister dismisses UK report

Westminister legal opinion on independence bid branded ‘arrogant’

From UK Feb 8, 2013

Cameron to add voice to pro-union drive

Advantages of the United Kingdom put to Scottish voters

From UK Feb 4, 2013

UK path unclear if Scotland breaks away

Stage is set for unprecedented constitutional uncertainty

From UK Feb 3, 2013

Challenges posed by independent Scotland

Foreign affairs committee considers implications

From UK Jan 30, 2013

Salmond’s referendum wording rejected

Electoral Commission proposes ‘fairer formulation’

From UK Jan 16, 2013

Salmond says Scotland would need EU talks

First minister says discussions would take place before UK break

From UK Dec 10, 2012

Barroso warns Scotland on EU status

Independent Scotland would have to apply to join EU

From UK Dec 6, 2012

Scottish EU membership claim challenged

Moore lobbies Brussels amid fresh blows for independence fight

From UK Nov 19, 2012

Scots warned on tough fiscal challenge

Independent nation would face harsh policy choices, says think-tank

From UK Oct 28, 2012

Independent Scotland faces EU application

Spain fears over Catalonia could lead to membership veto

From UK Oct 25, 2012

Salmond mired in row over EU membership

SNP leader accused of misleading BBC viewers

From UK Oct 24, 2012

Salmond to be grilled on legal advice claim

First minister’s grip on Scottish politics weakened

From UK Oct 25, 2012

Need for leaders to agree on N-deterrent

Deterrent operates from submarines berthed at Faslane on Clyde

From UK Oct 22, 2012

Dispute erupts over Scotland spending

SNP accused of trying to limit No campaign’s cash

From UK Oct 21, 2012

Salmond seeks to calm party members

Recent polls show support leaking away from the independence cause

VIDEOS

OFFICIAL WEBSITES

‘No vote’ cross party campaign

Pro-independence cross party campaign

Scottish independence

Island councils use independence vote to seek more powers

Editorial

Warning underscores complexity of disentangling UK institutions

Conservatives find themselves in step with public opinion

Differences exposed over levers of economic policy

City is the focus for debate over Scottish national identity

Darling levels accusation at Scottish independence supporters

Report says Scotland would be better off if it left the UK

Comment and opinion

Analysis

The combatants share little common ground on the secession debate’s burning issues

Former Canadian PM says nationalists have too much say in process

Commons committee report highlights potential concerns

Scotland’s first minister says monetary union is in the interests of the rest of UK

Osborne says ‘euro-style arrangement’ unlikely

Sterling, a new Scottish pound or joining another monetary union are options

Chancellor to argue against SNP’s plan to link with rest of UK

Treasury to outline plan for currency this week

Prospects key to outcome of independence campaign

Data reveal impressive fourth quarter figures

Committee attacks arguments on currency, borrowing costs and EU membership

PM raises defence issue before Scots’ independence vote

Treasury will insist on budget control if independence passed

Cameron says Scottish exit would put industry employment at risk

Scots will decide on September 18 next year whether to leave UK

Untapped oil riches thrown into self-determination debate

Deficit cap would be policed in London

Economists suggest keeping the pound in the event of independence

Westminister legal opinion on independence bid branded ‘arrogant’

Advantages of the United Kingdom put to Scottish voters

Stage is set for unprecedented constitutional uncertainty

Foreign affairs committee considers implications

Electoral Commission proposes ‘fairer formulation’

First minister says discussions would take place before UK break

Independent Scotland would have to apply to join EU

Moore lobbies Brussels amid fresh blows for independence fight

Independent nation would face harsh policy choices, says think-tank

Spain fears over Catalonia could lead to membership veto

SNP leader accused of misleading BBC viewers

First minister’s grip on Scottish politics weakened

Deterrent operates from submarines berthed at Faslane on Clyde

SNP accused of trying to limit No campaign’s cash

Recent polls show support leaking away from the independence cause

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