Scottish referendum: Alex Salmond says Scotland can afford independence 21 May 2013 Last updated at 12:12 Help Scotland can "more than afford' to be a successful independent country, its first minister has said. Alex Salmond was speaking as he launched a paper outlining the nation's key economic strengths. He said the document offered a consolidated picture of the country's strong financial foundations, diverse economy, ingenuity and natural resources. Mr Salmond said Scotland had generated more tax per head than the rest of the UK for every one of the past 30 years. He also highlighted Scotland's strength in industries other than oil and banking, which have been the focus of much of the debate ahead of the referendum. Mr Salmond told a gathering at the Alexander Dennis bus manufacturing plant in Falkirk: "We have to understand the variety of economic strengths and right policy mix to develop these industries and sectors further."