IN response to Frank McKain, Evening Times Letters, July 13), George Osborne's budget is not intended to "take from the poor and give to the rich."

For one thing "the poor" have little worth taking - by definition. For another, the top 1% of UK earners now pay 27% of all income tax collected.

Mr Osborne aims to get people off benefits and into work; intends to let low-paid workers keep more of what they earn; and wants wages to rise via employers instead of via tax credits. These goals are all intended to benefit the poor - as well as the rest of us.

Ditto more jobs, more businesses, low interest rates, low inflation, debt and deficit reduction, and the fastest growing economy in the G7.

Keith Gilmour, Glasgow, via email

David Cameron calls Nicola Sturgeon opportunistic when opposing Fox hunting. I ,like many others are opposed to blood sports so we should have a say. We have our own Scottish Law so don't need to be accused of obstructing English law.

Iain Duncan Smith and George Osbourne are in charge of the austerity programme being forced on us and we can do nothing about it. It is only fair that we have a say in matters which public feel strong about on both sides of the border.

Alex Lindsay, Knightswood, via email

I just don't understand the SNP. Are they trying to incite the Scots to act as the people of Greece. The UK has a debt that has to be paid. Cuts have to be made. Why don't the SNP stop their world jaunts cut back their salaries pay the right price for their meals at the council.

Maybe I would believe what they say. The poor people can afford to smoke buy carry out meals buy alcohol etc. I can't because I work and pay taxes so that they can. Great country Scotland is. M Mulholland, South Side, via email

We are always appalled by these kind of thefts of lead from Schools and Churches,along with the electrical wiring from railways etc. This Scottish Government can easily help stop such thefts if they would only change the law,, that there can be no cash payment for scrap metal, but only by a bank transfer. Those wanting to sell such items would then have to provide bank details and leave them easily traceable by the police for future prosecution. Why must the general public suffer when there is an easy remedy.

John Green