Scotland Matters Letters

THE issue of cuts to public services and local councils affects everyone from children to pensioners. It is crucial that we understand that the blame for these savage cuts lies squarely with the SNP Scottish Government. It can’t point the finger of blame at Westminster as the real-terms cuts to councils are three times the reduction in the Scottish block grant. Analysis by the politically neutral Institute for Fiscal Studies shows that in real terms, the planned increase in council budgets was only 1.6% which is massively eroded by unavoidable increased costs and wage rises. This lack of funding from the SNP Government is what is causing council spending cuts. SNP minister Mairi McAllan has naively blamed previous Labour governments for using PFI schemes to build schools and hospitals for the pressure on council budgets but fails to acknowledge that the SNP Government still finances many projects using PFI under the sneakily-changed names of Scottish Futures Trust and HubCo. When the library, community hall, playgroup and golf course are closed, remember that the SNP Government is to blame. James Quinn, Lanark.

HOW I long for this SNP-Green administration to grow up and begin to tell the truth. Why do we have to go through these verbal wringers? We know the increase in the SNP tax on alcohol has made no difference whatsoever to problem drinkers’ consumption, which we were told was the reason for the new tax in the first place. We must wonder why we have to go through the nonsense of proclaiming the latest proposed increase to be for the same reason (“Retailers urge SNP to shelve tax plan”, The Herald, February 6). Why not have the courage to admit it is for more pretend embassies and SNP-Green ministers’ luxury jaunts overseas and perhaps if anything is left over a tad towards the SNP ferries’ deficit? In the meantime, the problem drinking crisis will no doubt be getting worse. Does the SNP really think the voters are that stupid? Alexander McKay, Edinburgh.

A NEW report (Mail) states that £22,400 and up is needed annually for a moderate couple’s pension, £8,000 more than a year ago. In many cases in Scotland even this minimum sum is unachievable. Despite the SNP’s dreams, it is obvious that in an independent Scotland, it would be the Scottish Government that would take responsibility for this. Given the dire state of Scotland’s finances under a long-term SNP government right now, just where would all this money come from? It is time for some politicians in Scotland to finally be honest and consign any thoughts of independence into the bin. Gerald Edwards, Glasgow.

A SURVATION/True North poll has shown that 57 per cent of those surveyed do not think that they get value for their money from public services and that 33 per cent would consider moving elsewhere in the UK because of the higher tax burden in Scotland. This is, of course, exactly what the SNP wants. Those considering moving, and who are able to move, are most likely to be opposed to Scottish secession. What a gain for the SNP it could be if they left. Give it long enough, and sufficient No voters would have left Scotland for it to be worth the SNP risking another referendum on separation from the UK. As Baldrick would say, it’s a cun-ning plan. Jill Stephenson, Edinburgh.

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