Picture Gallery
Tightrope time
Nicola Sturgeon said Scotland’s budget for next year will be a ‘difficult balancing act’ in the wake of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement.
Well, SNP must stop wasting money
Michael Gallacher The SNP has the power to introduce a Land Value Tax to do and it could have been brought into existence some time ago and it would have alleviated the situation. Perhaps they could explain why they chose not to.
John Mcgurk Because councils would lose all the council tax benefit from the United Kingdom government. Which the Scottish government would have to replace. That's why.
Duncan Macdonald Travelling around Perth and Banffshire I was astounded at the number of whisky distilleries we have in one small pocket of our beautiful . Scotland. Why are we Scots not drowning in pound coins from the revenue this industry is producing?
Sheila Ross These whisky distilleries are not Scottish owned and mostly belong to companies outwith Scotland, like most huge companies based here.
Arthur Thompson Correct, just like our wind power coming from our seas all foreign owners.
Chick Macdonald Sheila Ross, it's just another product in a competitive market. Just because it's produced in Scotland doesn't mean it outsells alcohol produced in any other country. That's like saying Jamaica produces a lot of rum – why aren't they all rich? Doesn't make sense. Whisky is a benefit to Scotland but looks like you are looking for a grievance (surely not).
Peter Lewis Sell all the limos they use and get a taxi and start tightening up on MSPS’ expenses for a change. Set an example for once.
Nancy Graham Balance the books? They cant even float a boat…
Graeme Pollack Don't talk rubbish. They're doing very well with the limited Scottish money that comes back from London.
Fiona Neil Maybe [Nicola Sturgeon] will STOP giving away money.
James Hope She'd lose too many of her cult if she did that!
Lynn Hynds] She likes freebies! They are seen as a vote-winner!
Eileen Johnston
Well, am sure if you release the £20 million laid by for your [independence campaign] it would help balance things a bit.
Wilson Patrick Difficult balancing act! You just got another £1.7 billion in Barnett consequentials and this year you overspent, whether wilfully or not.
Murray Hutchison Bet she could be doing with the £10 billion that she wasted on the failed Chinese consortium.
Angie Bradie It's such a trial, isn't it Nicola? Deciding what to cut next in order to fund your delusional Indyref2.
Paul Johnston
Into the light
readersgallery@scotsman.com
The outcomes of ministerial misconduct probes will be made public if they are partially or fully upheld by the Scottish Government said Nicola Sturgeon, in a U-turn amid a series of transparency rows.
So it’s only when the ‘probe’ is completed AND upheld. How long did Grady’s investigation take? Or Mcgarry? Or any of them?
Philip Hartley I will believe [Sturgeon] when we all see it happening. I am not holding my breath.
Giles Barry Provided anyone can remember, find the minutes or [we can] believe anything we’re told.
Alex Raeside The house of cards is wobbling.
Incan Descent And releasing papers on Ferguson Marine soon? And papers on Gupta deal? And what about un-redacting Salmond papers?
Gordon Devlin They haven’t been doctored for public viewing yet.
George Brown More important to publish wrongdoings in contract fixing, missing funds, SNP independence budget income, steel industry enticement… need I go on. This transparency is a distraction!
Helen Gauld
Always surprised me what is’not in the public interest’. One would almost believe that the Scottish Government think they are above the law!
Mike Hannah The Scottish Government have not committed to publishing the outcomes of complaints at all, with Nicola Sturgeon merely saying she will “examine the possibility of publishing future outcomes of misconduct investigations."