Unhelpful to compare figures

LEAH Gunn Barrett (Letters, March 3) praises the Scottish

Government for the performance of our public services in comparison with those in England. We are surely entitled to expect this given the 121 per cent, or £2,000, higher spending per person in Scotland.

There is an implication that this has resulted in a 20% lower death rate in Scotland from Covid and lower infection rate overall.

The Herald presents on a daily basis the cumulative number of infections and deaths for Scotland and the UK. Death rate in Scotland, expressed as a percentage of total deaths to confirmed infections, is 20% relatively higher, not lower, than the rest of the UK (3.5% v 2.9%).

As we have more doctors, nurses and hospital beds there is nothing to suggest that this is due to less optimal care or facilities but suggests a higherrisk population.

It is unhelpful to make non-standardised comparisons with England but if Ms Gunn Barrett is keen on this, perhaps she might want to reflect on why Scotland’s mortality is double that seen in Germany.

Iain Findlay,

Bridge of Weir.