IT was intriguing to note the plans by Tory Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson to “compensate” 8,000 armed forces personnel in Scotland in order to cancel out income tax changes north of the Border.

It should, however, be noted that changes to the tax system mean that three-quarters of Scottish taxpayers will pay no more or indeed less income tax than those on the same earnings south of the Border. So, for example, a third of Scottish taxpayers (31 per cent) who have lower earnings of between £11,850 and £26,000 will pay less income tax than those on the same earnings in the rest of the UK.

Putting aside the issue that armed forces personnel in Scotland benefit from free prescription charges and eye tests and university tuition fees, It seems odd that Mr Williamson should not be “compensating” those armed forces personnel on lower earnings south of the Border who will now be paying more than those on same earnings in Scotland. Or is it only those on higher earnings he is interested in?

Alex Orr
Edinburgh