Taypayers’ cash

With reference to the letter from Douglas Cook (“Ingratitude”, 11 July), the money approved by Westminster for the furlough scheme in Scotland is a proportion of money from taxpayers in Scotland being returned here (not money from English taxpayers).

Westminster returns a little over half the money raised in taxation from Scotland – about 57p per £1 – as Scotland is a net contributor. This contrasts with the £17 which returned from £1 pro rata sent to the EU.

When NHS England was 30 per cent privatised NHS Scotland immediately lost 30 per cent of its revenue, despite still paying the same taxes. When tuition fees for universities in England were voted in, Scottish universities lost £100 million a year.

All decisions about money allocation are voted for as English laws for England, so no MPS for Scottish constituencies are allowed to vote (although Welsh and Northern Irish MPS can). So the “ingratitude” is shown by Westminster, which takes much more from the people Scotland than it gives back and gives us no voice at all.

After the 2008 crash six times as much money was given to the banks who caused the problem. All of that money disappeared abroad. Money would be more effective given to individuals who could get the economy going if they had some money to spend.

SUSAN F G FORDE Main Street, Scotlandwell,

Kinross-shire