The first aim of this paper is to examine whether views in Scotland on the necessities differ from those in the rest of the UK, that is whether it is reasonable to have a single poverty standard for the whole of the UK or whether Scotland should have a separate standard. This analysis also has a wider relevance, linked to the on-going debates about Scotland’s constitutional future and questions as to the extent to which a more autonomous Scotland would choose a significantly different social settlement. Related content includes Nick Bailey's Article 'Would an independent Scotland set a different poverty standard?'