Letter: Mortgage misery

How inappropriate for Alex Neil, SNP housing minister, of all people, to comment on the difficulty first-time buyers are having in getting mortgages (your report, 17 September).

Mr Neil had no problems with his mortgage, provided by us, the taxpayer, nor in pocketing the profits gained when his house was sold. It must be galling for a young couple, struggling to get a foot on the housing ladder, to be lectured to by Mr Neil about the inequities of the system.

Perhaps Mr Neil could suggest to his party that the tax-devouring National Conversation and the waste of civil servant time and energy on fatuous referendum plans be dropped and all be redirected towards real problems, such as providing mortgages for those starting out.

Alexander McKay

New Cut Rigg

Edinburgh