Interest burden

Martin O’gorman (Letters, 15 July) refers to a Scottish structural deficit of £8 billion, but doesn’t reveal that this is based on the GERS (Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland) figures which include the hidden costs of being part of the UK.

Every year since records began Scotland has been paying interest on a population share of the UK’S debts. In the years 2014-2019, Scotland has paid an average of £3.241bn per year of this public sector debt interest which has added to the cost of running Scotland.

GERS reports over the last 39 years reveal that Scotland’s share of UK debt interest was a staggering £126bn.

This is £126bn in debt interest that we didn’t generate, nor benefit from. It was taken from us simply because we are a region of the UK, not an independent country. Without having had to shoulder that £126bn burden, Scotland’s finances would be in surplus today.

The simple fact is that Scotland is rich in natural resources, has a robust export sector, a highly educated population and strong key economic sectors. The UK government knows this and can’t afford to lose Scotland. But we can’t afford to stay in a failing Union.

LEAH GUNN BARRETT Merchiston Crescent, Edinburgh