SNP can’t complain over DUP cash deal

SIR, – I find it astonishing that the SNP have had the gall to complain about Northern Ireland securing much-needed extra funding above their allocated block grant in a deal to secure support for a “confidence and supply" deal with the Conservatives and kick-start the Northern Ireland Assembly.

First, the Barnett formula consequentials are determined by what is spent in England and not the rest of the UK, otherwise large City Deals (like Aberdeen following the oil price collapse) specifically targeted to help the local economy would not take place.

More importantly, it is a bit rich for the single-issue party whose whole raison d'etre is to break up the union (unlike the DUP) to want more money above the £8billion it would lose if it got its way and gained independence.

If the SNP was serious about independence it would already be taking steps to address the financial cliff-edge we would be faced with – rather than add to our eye-watering fiscal deficit. Clearly, the SNP have not only shelved a further referendum but have lost the economic arrangement to run an independent country and will continue to haemorrhage support. Ian Lakin, Murtle Den Road, Milltimber

Following recent SNP statements and their refusal to recognise Scotland as part of the UK, there is a mood developing in favour of a referendum on the expulsion of Scotland from the union