Letters: Taxing question

I was pleased to read Bill Jamieson's article (24 March). The figures for possible tax raising after the reform assume that nothing has changed.

However, we know that many high earners have left Scotland as a result of the banking meltdown. What now is going to happen in the oil industry? What will happen if the rest of us have to be taxed at higher levels to plug the gap?

The only way to increase the tax-paying population is to reduce rates here. If the political parties confirm this, what will be the reaction at Westminster?

The debate has not really started. I do not claim to be anything other than an ordinary member of the public, but I fear dogma has seduced the political class and, to my surprise, I agree with Lord Forsyth.

Hugh Mackay

Blacket Place

Edinburgh

Among all the angst over tax (Letters, 25 March) and how to pay off the debts left by years of Blair and Brown's profligate spending, the tax-free status of family allowance and other taxpayer-funded handouts to middle and higher income families is indefensible.

The old age pension of around 100 per week is counted as income and is taxed.

Yet the undeserved and quite unnecessary largesse to families with annual incomes of tens of thousands of pounds is not even taxed.

Obviously the voice of the young and greedy counts for more in modern Britain than the voice of those with an old-fashioned social conscience. That doesn't bode well for the hard times that lie ahead.

Irvine Inglis

Reston

Berwickshire

AS the UK government in the next five years will be increasing its revenue from North Sea oil and gas fields by 10 billion, I wonder if the unionists will carry on propagating the notion that Scotland is a poor country.

Scotland faces public service cuts and job losses while independent Norway invests the money from oil and gas, ensuring prosperity and security for Norwegians for generations.

Donald J MacLeod

Woodcroft Avenue

Bridge of Don, Aberdeen

I must admit that a wry smile crossed my face when I read of Sir Ian Wood's reaction to Chancellor George Osborne's North Sea tax grab. He is quoted as stating: "It would have been so much better if government had consulted and given the industry the chance to express views."

This is a bit rich coming from a man who chose to ignore the views expressed after the public consultation process on his proposed plans for Union Terrace Gardens in Aberdeen, in which the public voted to reject his ideas.The word "hypocrite" springs to mind.

R T Smith

Braeside Terrace

Aberdeen