MPs: It's time to change Scotland's 'unfair' share of public cash

Published on Monday 1 February 2010 21:53

MOST MPs want to change the "unfair" way public money is distributed to Scotland, a poll suggested yesterday.

The opinion was strongest among Conservatives, prompting SNP claims that David Cameron would make "significant cuts" to spending if his party wins the next general election.

The Institute for Public Policy Research polled Westminster politicians on whether England is losing out, ten years on from devolution. Findings based on answers from 114 MPs showed 62 per cent believe the current distribution through the Barnett Formula is unfair. Almost three-quarters of Conservative MPs want to reform the funding method.

Most Tories and Liberal Democrats advocate tax-raising powers in the Scottish Parliament to pay for public services, but just 30 per cent of Labour MPs agree.

The poll also showed 91 per cent of Tories believed Scottish MPs should not vote on English-only matters – a position opposed by more than three-quarters of Labour MPs.

The research paper stated: "The one area in which there is overwhelming support among MPs from across the political divide is in relation to the levels of funding received by the constituent nations of the United Kingdom. A significant majority believe the current system is unfair."

The SNP has rejected calls for a needs-based funding system – instead of the population-based method – saying the only way forward is full financial freedom.

Treasury spokesman Stewart Hosie, MP, said the poll showed an "anti-Scottish Tory attitude".