Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alistair Carmichael and Thérèse Coffey

Wednesday 19th March 2014 Commons Chamber

[Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con)]

4. What assessment he has made of the financial benefits for Scotland of being part of the UK.

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Alistair Carmichael)]

As part of the United Kingdom, Scotland’s economy is doing well. We benefit from being part of the large, integrated UK domestic market.

[Dr Coffey]

I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. He illustrates very clearly the benefits of Scotland staying in the United Kingdom, which will be good for everybody in this country. Having already mentioned the private sector recovery and jobs, does he agree that the Barnett formula provides a generous amount of public sector funding?

[Mr Carmichael]

Indeed. The Barnett formula has been part of Scotland’s political landscape for almost 40 years and delivers a good level of public spending for people in Scotland—in the region of £1,000 per head each year over the figure for the rest of the United Kingdom. That reflects Scotland’s distinctive needs. That is why it is here to stay.