Irony of SNP complaints

Sir, - Surely it is beyond ironic that the SNP Holyrood Government is to launch a formal dispute process over the UK Government’s deal with the DUP?

SNP finance secretary, Derek Mackay, glossing over generous Scottish city deals, complains it is not fair and that, under Barnett Formula principles, Scotland, as well as Northern Ireland, should receive an additional payout from the UK.

Let us remember the SNP is the party that strives to separate Scotland from the rest of the UK.

It is the party, therefore, that implicitly rejects the long-standing modus operandi of sharing resources across the UK so that the entire UK benefits from the massive tax-generating power of the global economic powerhouse that is London and the south-east of England.

Under the Barnett Formula, post-oil boom Scotland’s public services are better funded than England’s. The SNP has yet to convince us at the ballot box that we should reject this beneficial arrangement in favour of separatism.

So now the SNP takes the opportunity to turn the Barnett Formula into a grievance.

Seemingly the Nationalists now believe the economic benefits provided by the UK are crucially important to us and no longer dismiss sharing resources as inconsequential.

More SNP double standards? Martin Redfern. Merchiston Gardens, Edinburgh.

When each of us started working we entered into a contract with the Government whereby we would pay towards our state pension

Derek Mackay