Peter Murrell arrested

No University fees.
Prescriptions free at point of need for everybody (which works out cheaper than putting in a system to decide who will pay).
Recognition that refugees are people and are good for the country.
Acceptance that immigration is needed in this country.
Ambition to rejoin the EU.
Understanding that Net Zero is an imperative, not abandoning it to please the people who don’t care.
Anti-nuclear stance.

Now people may not like those things, and want money to be spent on something else and that’s OK, but no amount of mumping* about ferries can change the fact that this is what our country wants to be like. No amount of blaming a particular party for things they are not responsible for can change that.
*Good Scots word.

It’s a pity that people keep bringing up the drugs deaths. The government has a few solutions to offer but were blocked by W… well I won’t say it or some smart alec will say we blame them for everything. Not everything, just the stuff they do.

As for the deficit thing, and unbalanced books – it is not possible for the Scottish Government to run at a deficit, that is not allowed under Devolution. Perhaps it would be good if the people spouting unverified facts actually took time to understand what they are saying.

I love living in Scotland and can think of no other place I would rather be.
In addition to Volver's list, I would like to add:
the Scottish child payments to help alleviate child poverty,
The progressive Scottish income tax
Minimum unit pricing that has helped to prevent many deaths from alcohol abuse
Free bus passes for young people

And yes Auditors can resign for many reasons and they are quoted in the National as saying ' they have taken the decision after a "review of its client portfolio". '

Of course auditors can resign any time, that is obvious, but given the knowledge of the SNPs financial situation etc, it does beg the question.

We do indeed have a deficit - figures for 21/22 show total income of 73.8 billion including Noryh Sea Oil & Gas revenue, expenditure of 97.5 billion leaving a deficit of 23.7 billion. The Scottish government receives funding from Westminster Government through the Block Grant. The Block Grant is paid for from taxes and revenues collected across the whole of the UK. The Block Grant is what helps to balance the deficit in public spending.

Figures taken from Fraser of Allander Institute volver

Scotland cannot independently raise funds by borrowing, unlike any other country in the world, it doesn't have control over its own finances.

So at present, it has to depend on the pocket money given to it by Westminster and we do not overspend. The deficit cited by the Fraser of Allander institute tells us that we are in debt to the UK.

Well we best be off then, and raise the money we need on our own.

(Not my analysis BTW, that of Kate Forbes who apparently understands economics.)

If I didn't have to live here I'd laugh at the pro independence stuff (polite word for it) being spouted here. Of course free things are lovely as long as you're the recipient. Hard lines if you have to pay for them...
I can just imagine the response to that.

You want to see my tax bill?

Nah, it would scare you.

Is that the response you expected?

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

reported

A propos of nothing...

Some of us here don't mind - in fact "like" - paying higher tax because it makes society a better place and helps the people who need help.

Some folk are just selfish and think we should spend our revenue on the things they want.

Go on volver - scare us.

🤣

I have no problem paying the ridiculously SMALL amount of extra tax. Just 1 penny in the pound ,I'm more than happy to contribute to a fairer society,as are all my friends and would be willing/happy to pay more than that . Of course if you're of a tory/labour state of mind you dont want those at the bottom of the ladder to prosper ,because then they learn to speak up and stand up to be counted instead of accepting the treatment meted out by the so called "union" for centuries .
Scotland is a prosperous country ,with a GDP the equivalent similar to the total GDP of 5 eastern european countries ( including Croatia )and no one tells them they are too poor to run their own affairs.
Independence is normal ,being run by your next door neighbour for their benefit isn't .

My baby granddaughter was sent the baby box when she was born. Her parents were delighted with it as it continued such useful things. The box itself has been used for keepsakes. I was pleased at the thought that every newborn would receive these lovely items regardless. Money well spent.

www.nhsinform.scot/ready-steady-baby/pregnancy/preparing-for-parenthood/baby-box

For anyone who doesn't know about the baby box.

There’s a myth about university education in Scotland that needs to be aired. Last time it was discussed I discovered that 180k places for Scottish students and 100k from abroad as full paying . Therefore Scottish students forced to go to other universities outside Scotland will be required to pay £9250 per annum.
Just in the interest of accuracy… no need to reply!!

Oh not this again...

Sorry, I promise myself to be kinder, then this kind of thing pops up.

Nobody is "forced" to go to university.

But if you’re in Scotland and you want to … ?

Best get good grades then.

The concept of egalitarianism seems to be beyond some obviously over educated
commentators…

Aye, Scotland's like that.

We tend to not be egalitarian at all....

I'm puzzled volver that you are not a member of the SNP.

You seem to be a very strong supporter, defending everything they do, so why not sign up?

Other people who agree with you join the SNP, pay subscriptions, plod round the streets delivering leaflets and go to conferences.

That is how party politics works.

What is stopping you?

Katek, I can assure you over my twenty five year career I bought more than bits and pieces, at my own expense and also produced a multitude of maths and MFL materials, due to a shortage of resources.
When exactly do you think I retired?
There was definitely more funding in the latter part of my career.

What is stopping you?

She campaigns on Gransnet instead!

Yes but we don’t listen Hermother