Decisions over cash made in Scotland

Sir, – The help for first time buyers has run out of cash and blame is being laid at the UK Treasury’s door for reducing the first time buyer’s fund from £200 million to £60m (First time buyers plan out of cash in just days, Courier, April 9).

My question is this: is it the UK Treasury who have reduced money specifically for first time buyer help or is it the Scottish Government whom have chosen to allocate less money to the first time buyer’s fund?

It is my understanding, after listening to a talk by John Swinney about how the Scottish Government works, that the UK Treasury allocates a lump sum of money to Scotland and it is up to the Scottish Government how that money is allocated.

It has been evident over the past year that money allocated to Scotland has not always been allocated in tandem with that in England.

In particular, help for business has not been on a par with England, with many businesses suffering as a result. Susan Oliphant. Forfar, Angus.