THE huge response from your readers (Letters Special, November 29) to the
interview with SNP deputy leader Angus Robertson (“SNP chief tells of
challenges after Yes vote”, The Herald, November 28) all failed to include
data to identify the cost to the Scottish taxpayer in the event of
independence. Had they read the article on this topic by Pinstripe (“SNP
focuses on security but figures fail to add up”, The Herald, September 12)
it would have been clear to all your readers that an extra £5,000 a year
tax would be required to get our deficit to the level required for euro
membership.
In addition, Mr Robertson failed to point out the impact on energy prices
following such a vote. Currently 92 per cent of the subsidy bill paid to
the Scottish renewable sector is paid by English and Welsh consumers.
However, European regulations mean such an arrangement would be illegal,
hence the total burden will hit the pockets of the Scottish taxpayer. The
wind farm subsidy of £4 billion a year would increase the basic rate of tax
by 8p in the pound to 48p in the pound.
The vision of Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon to build 12,000 MW of wind
turbines (see the manifesto for the 2011 election) means that, over the
summer when Scottish demand falls to 2,000 MW, Grid Control will have to
constrain 10,000 MW at an annual cost of £6 billion, or an extra 12p in the
pound on the basic rate of tax. That raises the cost to 60p in the pound.
The demise of Cockenzie and Longannet power stations means that, if high
pressure results in insignificant wind turbine output over the winter, then
Grid Control would need to import supplies from England. If this occurred
for a three week period, then to import 3,000 MW at £5,000 per MW-hour
would result in an annual bill of £7.5 billion. That is an increase in the
basic rate of tax of 15p in the pound, raising the total to 75p per pound.
Add in a 15p in the pound cost to cover National Insurance and pension
deductions leaves the standard rate tax payer with a take-home pay of 10
pence in the pound. Would Scottish taxpayers be happy with such a scenario?
Ian Moir,
79 Queen Street, Castle Douglas.
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