GERS don’t reflect real economic position

Madam, – I regret to have to tell arch critic of the SNP Alan Bell of Kirriemuir that his simplistic analysis of Scotland’s economic problems is, to quote an oft used word by the Rev. John Cameron, risible to say the least (Misery over expenditure, Courier, August 26).

It seems his conclusions are drawn by reference to the Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) figures.

For example part of the latest apparent overspend attributed to Scotland is a defence outlay of around £3.2 billion, which puts little Scotland at the top of the arms race table alongside the mighty USA.

It is obviously untrue in actuality but allocated to Scotland as its share of the total UK annual spend on Trident.

Not the simple budgeting process based on McCawber’s advice after all, Mr Bell.

Another very misleading estimate by GERS is the figure credited to Scotland for the value in cash terms of its exports of food and drink.

These figures are measured by statistics taken at the port of export wherever that may be in the UK.

According to the Foreign Office data Scotland contributes just over 25% of the total output of these two commodities.

But as the the port of export for Scotch whisky is in England, the export credit figure is actually allocated to income generated by England.

This artificially inflates the economic performance of our southern neighbours whilst degrading that of our own.

The real accuracy of the GERS figures for any part of the UK will never be known until each member state has full fiscal powers to run their economies independently.

The sooner that can be done the better.

Allan A. MacDougall. 37 Forth Park, Bridge of Allan.