Savers and pensioners would be more at risk in an independent Scotland according to a new report by the UK Treasury.
Scottish Secretary Michael Moore says independence would make Scotland more vulnerable to a banking crisis and that it would be hard for Scotland to maintain a separate pension protection scheme.
The Scottish Government has dismissed his claims as 'flimsy' and will set out their own economic paper tomorrow.
Mr Moore said:
Borders MP Michael Moore has said that the currency paper published by the UK Government today "clearly shows that we are better together".
“The currency paper published today clearly shows that the current system is the best for Scotland and the rest of the UK when compared with the other options.
“The crisis in the eurozone, has shown that a formal sterlingzone, as proposed by the SNP, would be extremely challenging to sustain without close fiscal integration.
"Such an arrangement seems to defeat the purpose of independence and would rob Scotland of control over its currency and important financial levers.
– Michael Moore MP, Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk, Lib Dems“In contrast, the current system has brought economic benefits to all parts of the UK because taxation, spending, monetary policy and financial stability policy are co-ordinated across the whole of the UK.
"This means that economies of Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland are all taken into account when policy decisions are made. This would no longer be the case for Scotland if we were to break away from the UK.
Borders MP Michael Moore has expressed his disappointment following the announcement last week that the Scottish Court Service has recommended the closure of Duns courts:
– Michael Moore MP“I am extremely disappointed to see that the SCS are still recommending that the Sheriff and Justice of the Peace courts in Duns should be closed.
“I believe that this move would constrain access to justice in Berwickshire because it will force local people to travel further to have their cases heard.
“It is now up to the Scottish Government to decide whether to take these recommendations forward and I am strongly urging them not to do so for the sake of our local justice system here in the Borders.”
– Scottish Secretary of State, Michael Moore“Raising the tax free part of a person’s income to £10,000 next April was on the front page of the Lib Dem’s 2010 manifesto and I am extremely proud that today we have delivered.
“This measure means that thousands of Borderers will receive a further tax cut next year, on top of the tax cuts they have already received since 2010, totalling £700.
"It will put more money back in the pockets of hardworking Borderers and make the tax system fairer for those on low and middle incomes.
“Scrapping of the autumn fuel duty increase announced today will provide another helping hand to Borders families.”
The Secretary of State for Scotland has commented on the news that Scottish Borders engineering firm, Border Precision, has brought in administrators.
The 37-year-old firm employs 180 people at the 80,000 square foot factory in Pinnacle Hill Industrial Estate, Kelso.
– Michael Moore MP“I am very sorry to hear this news that Border Precision has brought in administrators.
"The firm has been trading in Kelso for 37 years and it would be a great loss to the community if it were to fold.
“This is why I am urging administrators to work as quickly as possible to find a solution to protect jobs and provide certainty to employees at the firm.”
Local MP Michael Moore joined Hawick postman Lee McAllister on his delivery round this morning (10th January).
The Secretary State for Scotland was one of several MPs who were given an insight into the work carried out by postmen and women across Scotland.
The purpose of the post rounds was to allow MPs to experience first-hand the type of work involved in delivering mail to millions of houses and businesses, six days a week.
After his delivery round, Mr Moore said:
“Postmen and women perform an incredibly important function in our communities, not just delivering communication, but being one of the institutions in society that binds us together for the common good.
“I wanted to get a real understanding of the work that goes into delivering the mail on a daily basis. There can be no better way of getting that insight than actually going out and doing the job alongside a delivery postman.
"I joined local postman Lee McAllister who has been delivering mail to customers in Hawick for over four years and I was very grateful for his time, his insights and his patience today!"
Scottish Secretary Michael Moore has used a speech in Washington to highlight the importance of the Borders cashmere industry.
Read the full storyThe Scottish Secretary Michael Moore says he's confident Scotland will still get more powers if voters say no to independence.
The Borders MP was giving evidence to a referendum committee at the Scottish Parliament.
The UK and Scottish Goverments recently signed a deal which means Scots will be asked a single question when they go to the polls in 2014
The Scottish Secretary Michael Moore says the framework is in place for a 'legal, fair and decisive' referendum on Scottish independence.
The Borders MP was giving evidence to a committee of colleagues on the precise terms of the deal over the vote on possible separation.
You can see the report from Helen Ford below:
The Scottish Secretary Michael Moore will give evidence to MPs over the arrangements the referendum on Scottish independence. Mr Moore, who is MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk, will be questioned over the terms of the Edinburgh Agreement.
The Scottish Affairs Committee is conducting a wide ranging inquiry into the possibility of Scottish separation.
Mr Moore's deputy at the Scotland Office, the Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP David Mundell will also give evidence to the committee, as it gathers evidence on the Agreement, which was signed on 15 October.
