Readers' letters: What cost Net Zero?

However, the Decarbonisation of Scottish Homes Bill was ditched by John Swinney once the cost increased four-fold from £33 Billion to over £130 billion. The refinery plant at Grangemouth closed because the ban on internal combustion vehicles meant it was uneconomic to spend millions of pounds on a plant that the SNP planned to make uneconomic by a ban on the use of its output!

The cost of the 45GW of floating wind turbines will add 20p per unit to electricity bills due to the four-fold increase in the strike price to £271 per MWhour in the AR7 auction round. Who can afford energy at such a cost? There is also the problem that, if the wind fails to blow, the billions of pounds to install the plant counts for nothing if the wind fails to blow.

However, the SNP is to build 25GW of back-up hydrogen fuelled generators supplied from expensive electrolysis plant. Three years on and not a single estimate of the debt has been issued by the SNP but it will certainly cost many billions of pounds that Scots cannot afford. It would appear the new solution from Bute House is to rely on English electricity imports to keep the lights on In Scotland.

Why the lack of debate over the repayments of the Holyrood net zero debts as the public sector budgets will have to be cut to meet a £1 trillion bill? Ian Moir

Castle Douglas, Dumfries & Galloway

Unelectable SNP

Alex Orr (Letters, 15 December) writes that the choice at the next Scottish election is between the SNP and Reform. You might say “Who’s afraid of Nigel Farage” – but it’s not actually about Farage; it’s about how unelectable the SNP have become.

A vote for the SNP is not about independence any more. They blow a lot of hot air about independence just to garner votes. Neither are they team players. They’ve no interest in working with smaller indy parties for the common good – to ‘Max the Yes’. Quite frankly, I couldn’t countenance the prospect of another five years with the SNP at the helm destroying what’s left of Scotland.

They are in fact the very stumbling block to independence itself. They’re holding back on implementing the Supreme Court ruling until they get a mandate at the 2026 election to dismiss it altogether. Then they can make trans rights the bedrock of our society. They’ve already set out their stall. Do not give them the mandate they desire. I will not Wheesht for SNP Indy lies, not while women, children and LGB people are being erased and robbed of safeguarding.

We cannot progress independence on our own terms while the SNP has a stranglehold on the electorate. As such we need to get them gone any which way we can.

Lynda Henderson, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire

Life lessons

Brian Bannatyne-Scott (Letters, 16 December) questions the value of Pisa educational standards whilst using his own degree as a standard by which to devalue them. He then asks if there is a better standard of education south of the Border. I can answer that question for him. As someone whose misfortune it was to give real-world training to people from all over the UK over many years I can confirm that the standard of education since the 1980s is very poor.

In my experience a degree usually means individuals have computer skills yet no practical ability or common sense and most have little scientific knowledge beyond primary education and therefore do not understand the world around them.

What might prove interesting would be to see how many graduates could pass an 11+ not used since the 1970s to asses students and then seek their opinion on the value for money of their education.

Stephen Briers, Sheffield, South Yorkshire

Defend BBC

The BBC must stand firm against President Trump's accusations of defamation. The BBC is the pearl of the British media.

Throughout its history, it has been transformational in domestic and global politics. It has exerted significant clout in shaping public opinion, defining political narratives and upholding moral integrity and ethical values. Millions across the world derived their knowledge about political discourses, climate change, armed conflicts, and pivotal historical events from the BBC. Its coverage has been balanced and unbiased with some errors of judgement.

In the midst of political and religious turbulence, we need an institution like the BBC to mould the political landscape.

Dr Munjed Farid Al Qutob, London

Special relationship

Donald Trump’s attempt to bankrupt the BBC is yet another example of how over the decades America has treated its allies.

When Britain was fighting for its survival the US government used Britain’s plight to bankrupt the country through its lend-lease scheme.

It gained numerous British territories overseas, forced a fire sale of British factories and other assets in the United States, and acquired the Bank of England’s gold reserves.

The UK was forced to sign one-sided contracts or starve. A few days after Japan’s surrender US merchant ships sailing to our ports with food and other supplies were ordered to turn back mid-Atlantic as lend-lease was abruptly terminated. The UK didn’t finish paying an American war loan until 2006. We can see the same thing played out in Ukraine which will the end the war with Trump's mineral deal and other unfavourable contracts exploiting the war-torn ally.

William Loneskie, Lauder, Scottish Borders

No credibility

Holyrood was already in trouble as an assembly that does not listen but now it is in terminal decline. The shameful banding together of the SNP and Greens to protect Angela Constance (your report, 17 December) is a sure sign of a decaying parliament.

It is no longer what is the right thing to do, it is what is politically expedient. This is no way to run a country. Our credibility is gone.

Gerald Edwards, Glasgow

Clinging on

Angela Constance survives a “motion of no confidence” in the Scottish Parliament thanks to the support of the hapless and spineless Scottish Greens.

It is clear their decision was entirely in their own interests as they believe they may well hold the balance of power after the next Scottish Election – perish the thought. It is also clear that we have been unfortunate enough to experience the utter failures of Angela Constance sine she appeared on the political scene in 2010. Unbelievably, she has held four ministerial positions, including Minister for Drugs Policy (2020-2023: that went well) and four Cabinet Secretary positions.

The Scottish people might reflect in their burning desire for independence that they should be careful what they wish for, bearing in mind the complete ineptitude of the Scottish Government and individuals responsible for delivering for the Scottish people.

Richard Allison, Edinburgh

Policing priorities

Murdo Fraser is absolutely correct (Scotsman, 17 December) in continuing his battle about police recording of non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs). The police exist to investigate and tackle criminal behaviour and it’s a complete waste of scarce police resources to spend time on NCHIs.

If parliament wishes to legislate to make this behaviour an offence, so be it. Until then, get officers out on the street “keeping people safe”, as their logo proclaims, by reducing anti-social behaviour, tackling shoplifting, gathering intelligence on crimes and tackling drug sellers.

There is no point in the Chief Constable complaining about lack of resources, then wasting officer time recording NCHIs. Indeed, recording them is quite sinister. Maybe I should call 101 and complain?

Brian Barbour, Haddington, East Lothian

Money for nothing

It is quite astonishing to see the massive payments being made to MSPs when leaving their jobs at Holyrood – a part-time parliament.

There is a record number of SNP MSPs leaving in May 2026 who will get the minimum of £37,253 up to a maximum of £74,506 plus extra payments for junior ministers and cabinet secretaries.It’s the only job in Scotland that pays you for handing in your notice.

Dennis Forbes Grattan, Bucksburn, Aberdeen

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