THE SNP have said new export figures should serve as a “wake-up call” that the Tories are not interested in securing a strong recovery for Scotland or the rest of the UK – as the reality of their hard Brexit continues to unfold.

Figures published by the EU’s statistics office Eurostat show Britain’s exports to the EU almost halved in the first two months of the year compared with last year. EU imports from Britain dropped by 47% to 16.6 billion in January and February this year.

These figures present a much worse picture for the UK’s exports to the EU than the figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) last week, with Eurostat reporting the December to February fall in UK exports to the EU was 32% instead of 15%.

The overall value of food exports, including Scottish seafood, is lower now than in any month of last year – having dropped by £300 million since December.

SNP candidate for Edinburgh Southern Catriona MacDonald said: “These figures highlight the immense damage that the Tories’ jobs-destroying Brexit is doing to Scotland’s economy

“It should serve as a wake-up call that Boris Johnson will always prioritise Brexit over a sustainable economic recovery from the pandemic.

“When it mattered, Labour and the Tories fell in line together behind Boris Johnson’s botched Brexit deal. Now our businesses and exporters are paying the price for their failure to stand up for Scotland.

“Today’s figures underline the fact that Scotland has been completely ignored throughout the Brexit process. Only the SNP will stand up for Scotland’s businesses and for Scotland’s place in Europe.

“By casting both votes for the SNP on May 6, the people of Scotland can re-elect Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister and put Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands.”