John Swinney, the Scottish finance secretary, has said the strong case for independence has been proven by new evidence showing that Scotland now has the best-run regional economy in the UK.

In his speech to the Scottish National party's annual conference, Swinney said a series of recent economic figures had shown his devolved government had proved it could build a dynamic, successful economy which outstripped the UK's performance.

The latest UK growth figures this week revealed Scotland's economy had grown by 1.8%, compared with 1.3% for the UK, while labour market statistics showed Scotland's employment rates were higher, unemployment figures lower and youth employment rates the best in the UK.

At the same time, his government had abolished bridge tolls and would not introduce tolls on the new Forth crossing, now being built under budget, had frozen council taxes for seven years, protected free university education and introduced free prescriptions.

As part of its efforts to offset the UK government's welfare cuts and reforms, Scottish ministers had absorbed the 10% cut in council tax benefits for 500,000 people and introduced a short-term payment to offset the bedroom tax.

An independent Scotland would renationalise Royal Mail, cap loan rates for payday loan companies and abolish the bedroom tax.

Even the Treasury, David Cameron and Alistair Darling – the former chancellor who leads the pro-UK Better Together campaign – agreed Scotland could be a successful independent country, Swinney claimed.

"The debate over Scotland's wealth has been won," he said. "Scotland can afford to be independent. The facts and figures are clear and indisputable.

"Scotland is in a stronger financial position than the UK. Every year for 30 years Scotland has paid more in tax per person than the UK. Scotland pays a higher share of taxes than we get back in spending."

Scotland's economic strength extended to its significant renewable energy potential, its competitive university sector and its new life sciences, creative and food industries, alongside oil.

He told delegates in Perth: "The question is no longer whether Scotland could be an independent country. It is whether Scotland should be an independent country."

Swinney said its record proved that an independent Scotland would manage its finances and economy far better than the UK, since the Westminster government's record was dominated by huge levels of debt and economic mismanagement.

His government's policy was to invest to stimulate growth, while the UK government was intent on cutting spending to deal with its own "reckless deficits".

However, the Scottish government's Treasury grant has risen sharply since 1999 to its current level of £30bn because overall UK government spending has increased significantly too, funded partly by the UK's heavy national debt.

Holyrood's grant is based on a higher per capita share of overall UK spending of £1,300 a head, while spending on many welfare policies is higher too in Scotland. Swinney appeared, too, to acknowledge that North Sea oil taxes were crucial to Scotland's prosperity.