Paying for ‘free’

Fraser Grant (Letters, 20 January) seems to be asserting that Labour are “unfit to govern” because, under new leadership, they are taking time to refine their policy on tax. Such a complaint would seem to be somewhat fastidious given that the SNP have been in power for ten years and only now are they getting around to attempting to produce a plan to grow the economy.

Mr Grant may well have one thing right: “Our quality of life is superior when compared to most of those living in England.” I assume he is referring to the fact that we – unlike our counterparts in the rest of the UK – enjoy benefits such as “free” tuition, “free” care for the elderly and “free” prescriptions. I am sure he is aware that such policies are not “free” but taxpayer-funded. I wonder if he is also aware that it is thanks to the Barnett formula – which both John Swinney and Nicola Sturgeon fought tooth and nail to keep in place – that Scotland is able to fund such policies. Ironically, therefore, the quality of life of those living in Scotland is superior thanks to the taxpayers living in England. Moreover, if indeed our quality of life is “superior” it should be no surprise to Mr Grant that an increasing majority of Scots reject the case for ripping us out of the United Kingdom.

COLIN HAMILTON Braid Hills Avenue, Edinburgh