Sir, – I refer to Iain G Richmond’s letter (HS2 is a win-win for Scotland and the UK, Courier, February 17).
Since HS2 will not come as far north as Scotland perhaps Mr Richmond can explain just how this will make connectivity to other parts of the UK faster?
Mr Richmond states that there will be a £10 billion windfall for Scotland via the Barnett formula.
This also needs explaining as I feel he has plucked this number out of thin air.
Thus far HS2 has cost a reported £9bn of taxpayers’ money.
Scotland has to pay 10% of this.
The total cost of HS2 is now put at a conservative £106bn, of which Scotland will have to pay the same 10%.
In addition the money for the construction will be borrowed and added to the national debt.
Scotland has also to pay a share of this debt so how is this a win-win situation for Scotland?
There is of course the additional burden for Scotland as it has to pay a share of the interest payments on the money borrowed in the first instance.
Of course this is not the only construction project that only benefits England that Scotland has to pay a percentage of.
Crossrail, the new sewage system for London, the refurbishment of Westminster and Buckingham Palace spring to mind as a few such examples.
A win-win situation for Scotland would be independence, as then we would not have to spend money on projects that do not benefit our own country.
Finally, all the construction jobs Mr Richmond mentions will be south of the border, so here again what benefit for Scotland?
Stephen Windsor.
The Holdings,
Kinfauns.
Better uses for HS2 cash
Sir, – I must applaud Iain G Richmond’s optimistic outlook over the continuing fiasco that is HS2.
How long are we in Scotland going to wait for the long awaited benefits of both employment and funding?
I fear in the meantime people are dealing with flooding and related problems.
Surely all this ill-spent money would go a long way to making sure that flood defence systems are up to date and the man in the street doesn’t have to suffer repeat performances of mopping up and preparing for the next time.
Irene Liebermann.
MacDonald Smith Drive,
Carnoustie.
Action needed on drugs crisis
Sir, – Some time ago the Scottish Government declared the rising number of drug deaths in Scotland an epidemic.
They immediately swung into action by organising a drugs forum in Glasgow to decide what to do. More recently another forum was held in Dundee.
Now another one is to be held in Glasgow and, not to be outdone, the Westminster Government is holding one in London.
Result? No decisions made or implemented.
Meantime, politicians take no preventative action to stop lethal drugs entering the country and people are dying on the streets.
Is anyone really taking this seriously?
Incidentally, are the relatives of those who have witnessed the deaths of their sons and daughters invited to any of these beanfeasts to give their views on how to solve the problem?
They might be able to provide some practical advice on how to prevent a new generation of young people dying.
George Dobbie.
51 Airlie Street,
Alyth.
Exploring trade with India
Sir, – The cabinet reshuffle presents the country with an unexpected opportunity as we now have both a chancellor Rishi Sunak and a home secretary Priti Patel of Indian ancestry. Could there be a better time for Britain to develop trade and links with India, the world’s largest democracy?
At present the government seems to be rushing recklessly towards giving massive contracts for the 5G network and HS2 to Chinese firms completely ignoring concerns about security and their competence. Our government also appears to entirely ignore the totalitarian nature of China’s government and its repression of the Uighar Muslims.
Should we really be getting any closer to such a country?
Indian firms are probably not ready to take on either building the 5G network or HS2.
Indeed, shouldn’t Britain which invented both the railways and packet-switching, the fundamental data handling principle underlying mobile networks and the internet, be able to build its own infrastructure?
The vast majority of merchandise which we currently import from China could just as easily be made in India.
Wouldn’t you rather that the items you purchase were made in a country with both democracy and something approaching the rule of law, rather than in a secretive, repressive and bullying regime?
Otto Inglis.
6 Inveralmond Grove,
Edinburgh.
Experience for the job lacking
Sir, – It can only be the SNP that is so devoid of pertinent experience and qualifications that it appoints a 29-year-old with no financial or economic management experience or qualification, to be Scotland’s new finance secretary.
I have been in business for over 40 years and have yet to come across any 29- year-old appointed as CFO responsible for a corporate budget of over £20 billion annually.
So what is going on?
Derek Farmer.
Knightsward Farm,
Anstruther.
Insulation nightmare
Sir, – Regards the couple whose home has been devastated by Angus Council’s actions (Pensioners’ tale of woe over pioneering insulation system, Courier, February 17).
I was shocked to read all that the couple has been through but stunned the council have the nerve to state their bills won’t be any cheaper.
The purpose of insulation is to reduce heating bills.
How can they say that after putting these people through three decants, months of upset and the work is still not finished.
They should be ashamed of themselves.
I hope the couple are contacted by the council immediately with an apology.
Victor Lyndhurst.
Carlogie Road,
Carnoustie.
Unacceptable from council
Sir, – Regards the Carnoustie couple and their shoddy treatment by Angus Council.
Although I reside in Carnoustie and do not know these people, my wife felt compelled to find their home and offer some sympathy as we have been in a similar situation.
She was so saddened to see the state Angus Council have left their home in, with cracks on the walls and the shocking state of their windows.
Apparently, the council were supposed to return last month to decant them again to sort the mess out, but no one from housing has bothered to get in touch.
Imagine telling the press that they insulated the house, but the bills won’t reduce?
I notice they also stated “the work is completed” but I fail to see how that can be, when the walls are cracked?
Martin and Sandra Jardine.
Ireland Street,
Carnoustie.
