A LEAKED bombshell Brexit document has revealed Scotland's economy will "take a disproportionate hit" in Boris Johnson's deal.

The 15-page document states that trade disruption could have a "more significant effect" on the Scottish and Welsh economies.

The SNP hit out at the findings of the 15-page document, saying it proves Boris Johnson "simply cannot be trusted".

Titled Northern Ireland Protocol: Unfettered Access To The UK Internal Market, the document states that low-value trade disruption may have a "more significant" effect on Scottish and Welsh economies.

The document first came to light when Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn criticised it after obtaining a copy ahead of a London press conference on Friday.

The file, which was marked "official, sensitive" appeared to be a slideshow prepared by the Treasury. It states:

  • Customs checks will be "highly disruptive" to Northern Ireland's economy
  • 98% of Northern Ireland exporters to Great Britain are small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and are "likely to struggle to bear this cost"
  • High street prices are likely to rise in Northern Ireland as a result
  • Unemployment in areas like retail are likely to rise
  • Tariffs will be placed on 30% of purchases in Northern Ireland
  • Customs checks could "symbolically" separate Northern Ireland from the Union
  • Low-value trade disruption may have a "more significant" effect on Scottish and Welsh economies
  • Without controls, Northern Ireland could become a "back door" into the Great Britain market to avoid import duties
  • Unfettered access risks "substandard" goods entering the UK
  • It could also mean third-country goods who have preferential access to the EU market could bypass UK tariffs

SNP Foreign Affairs and Europe spokesperson Stephen Gethins said Scotland's future must be "in Scotland's hands". 

He added: “The leaked Treasury documents make it clear Scotland will take a disproportionate hit from Boris Johnson’s disastrous Tory Brexit deal.

“We already know that if Scotland is forced out of the EU against our will it will mean lower growth, job losses and a hit to living standards.

“And now this document talks about a “more significant effect on local economies in Scotland.”

“Scottish Tories promised they could never support any sort of special deal for Northern Ireland and they have spectacularly broken that promise. Vote SNP to escape Brexit and put Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands – not Boris Johnson’s.

"Vote SNP to lock Boris Johnson out of office. He simply cannot be trusted."

Johnson had said there would be no checks between Northern Ireland and Great Britain under his exit terms, but Corbyn said the document suggests that is not true.

The Labour leader said page five of the document states: “There will be customs declarations and security checks between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.”

He added: “It is there in black and white. It says there will be customs declarations, absolutely clearly, for trade going from Northern Ireland to Great Britain.

Last month the PM suggested his Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay had been wrong to say goods between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK would face checks as a result of the Brexit deal struck with the EU.

Barclay previously told MPs that “some information” and “minimal targeted interventions” would be required on goods travelling between the two areas of the UK, due to Northern Ireland remaining aligned with Dublin and Brussels’ trading rules for agricultural products and manufactured items as part of the exit terms.