THE Chancellor’s Budget was neither respite for Scots under the financial cosh nor relief for a beleaguered North Sea sector.

Low and middle earners will see their taxes rise and the token changes in oil offer no salvation. Compounding that, Rachel Reeves ’s comments that there would be no independence referendum were indicative of Labour’s intention to ignore Scotland’s needs and to summarily reject any future requests for one.

It shows why independence is needed quickly to ensure that not just our oil industry, but our industrial base is protected. It also discloses the futility of John Swinney ’s strategy of pursuing a second referendum. “No” might not mean “No” with regard to tax rises but it certainly does when it applies to Scotland’s right to decide. Any suggestion that she

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