Published: Thursday, 15th January, 2009 10:15am

Funding situation is bizarre

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I AM somewhat bemused by the current stand-off between the Scottish Government and London Treasury over the funding of the proposed Forth Bridge.

While the Treasury is refusing to allow the Holyrood administration to borrow money for the funding of the bridge, in Northern Ireland the government has had the power to borrow money since 2002. The Government can borrow from the Treasury at highly advantageous interest rates and has significantly increased the pace of investment in Northern Ireland. By borrowing £125m in the first two years of being able to do so, the Northern Irish government has undertaken much-needed investment in schools, the health service, roads, and water and sewerage.

It is a bizarre situation that allows Belfast to borrow but prevents Edinburgh from doing the same.

Alex Orr,

Flat 8, 35 Bryson Road, Edinburgh.