PINSTRIPE was very selective in the data he presented to your readers
(“Change needed for all to get fair deal from Union”, The Herald, February
8). As a senior member of the financial services sector the contributor
should have known that there is also a right-hand section to a ledger. Here
are several factors missing from that section:

Ninety-two per cent of the subsidy bill paid to the renewable industry is
paid by Welsh consumers together with their cousins living east of Offa’s
Dyke. Had Scotland voted Yes then this arrangement would no longer be legal
and their £15 billion annual contribution would have to be paid by the
Scots – an increase of £6,000 a year per household.

The crash in the price for a barrel of oil would result in an annual £9
billion tax bill for Scottish taxpayers which is currently supported by the
Welsh and their cousins. Add in the introduction of an £8 billion a year
bill to cover the introduction of full fiscal autonomy and the combined
costs would be an additional tax increase of around £7,000 a year per
household.

Then there is the £3 billion cost claimed by the Finance Secretary through
introducing the new powers to Holyrood since the Welsh and their cousins
will have better economic growth than the Scots and it can be seen that the
deal from the Union has prevented southern austerity plunging into Holyrood
penury. This shows that readers need to see both sides of a ledger.

Ian Moir,
79 Queen Street, Castle Douglas.


SAS Volunteer

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