Financial facts prove independence would be economic and social catastrophe

As usual at times of difficulties, Lesley Riddoch (Perspective, 8 June) deems it is the right time to push again for her independence “dream”, or perhaps “nightmare” for the rest of us.

Her arguments, particularly on a financial basis, are simply fanciful. Additionally, her blind loyalty to the performance of the First Minister during this crisis as compared to the Prime Minister – helpfully ignoring the Nike conference cover-up and the scandal of discharging elderly patients from hospital into care home without testing are just two examples – is unsurprising.

However, her only basic economic contributions indicate that the old SNP “Arc of Prosperity” defined previously by Alec Salmond (Ireland, Iceland and Norway) has now moved more generally to the “Nordic and Baltic” states and, yes, I realise Norway is a Nordic state! Additionally, whilst the vacuum cleaning companies, handbag makers and distilleries making ventilators, face masks and hand gel respectively are to be hugely congratulated, they will not bring the economic Utopia she craves.

The hard economic facts are that of a Scottish population of about 4.5 million adults, 2.5 million pay no income tax and therefore are unlikely to be paying other taxes such as capital gains tax. Only 351,000 people pay the higher rate of tax and just 16,000 people – or 0.3 per cent of Scottish adults – pay the top rate due to earning more than £150,000pa.

Whilst I agree that small can be a good thing, Scotland simply does not have the ability to raise income tax receipts any further, and to then look at perhaps inheritance tax and capital gains tax as possible “income” generators will drive those able to pay such taxes elsewhere.

Perhaps Ms Riddoch will now understand why the UK Exchequer funds Scottish public spending to the tune of around £1,900 per head higher in Scotland than in England and still Scotland has one of the highest deficits in Europe.

Far from her comment “the case for independence could not be stronger”, it is this current crisis that truly demonstrates that we are stronger together and that independence would be an economic and social catastrophe.

RICHARD ALLISON Braehead Loan, Edinburgh

I see Lesley Riddoch has shifted her view on governmental management of the coronavirus from – I paraphrase – “Isn’t our Nicola doing a grand job” to “It’s all wicked Westminster’s fault”.

Ms Riddoch’s shifting stance maps closely to the soaring coronavirus Scottish death rates, with a particular tragedy playing out in many care homes north of the Border.

Let’s not forget health is entirely devolved, as is much of the management of the pandemic. Ms Sturgeon, for example, had the power to lock down earlier; she could have chosen not to send untested elderly people from hospitals to care homes. Her choices, not Downing Street’s.

The truth is that Ms Sturgeon placed herself at the centre of the Scottish response and so is responsible, not Johnson.

MARTIN REDFERN Melrose, Roxburghshire