Not a spent force

Doris Duff (Letters 13 October) says the SNP is “billions of pounds in debt”. They are not, but if we can assume that she means the Scottish Government, she’s wrong there

too. Under the devolution settlement, the Scottish Government is not allowed to run a deficit, and in fact ended the financial year with an underspend of £85 million which will be carried forward to next year to fund public services. Ms Duff also calls for the SNP (Scottish Government) spending to be scrutinised. I thought that’s what we had a parliament for.

GILL TURNER

Derby Street, Edinburgh