Not Union that hampers Scots economy

SIR, – Further to Albert Howie’s Letter to the Editor (July 16) and Dick Winchester’s (July 14), both appear to be wearing rose-tinted glasses that do not really reflect reality.

Economic reality is just starting to take effect with the postponement of extra childcare and the subsidising of EU university fees being withdrawn.

The results from a few polls a year ahead of voting need to be taken with a large pinch of salt.What people decide when they actually vote is what counts. Catastrophic predictions are rarely correct.

If we examine the historical growth of UK GDP against Denmark, Norway, and Ireland over the period 1980-2017, compliments of Wikipedia, a more balanced assessment in billions of US dollars is possible.

For the UK, a GDP of 500 to 2,926, an increase by a factor of 5.8, for Denmark GDP of 59 became 287, a factor increase of 4.9, Norway 61 to 380, a factor increase of 6.2, and Ireland 24 to 357, a factor increase of 14.9.

Ireland is the clear outlier reflecting the historical benefit of EU membership, but would Scotland be bankrolled to the same extent by the EU in the future?

A direct comparison between the UK and Scotland shows similar growth rates as reported by the

Fraser of Allander Institute in 2019. Even more so when due account is taken of population growth.

Scotland is not held back by the Union but by the economic failures of both the Labour Party and the SNP.

Would as many migrants come to an independent Scotland without the attraction of the Union?

David Philip, Knockhall Way, Newburgh.