Scotland’s Fiscal Framework

Lord Beith Excerpts

Wednesday 24th February 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Dunlop]

I can only repeat what I said earlier: there is no additional cost to the taxpayers of England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

[Lord Beith (LD)]

My Lords, while there is general support in the north-east of England for Scottish devolution and its progress to date, does the Minister recognise that there will be real resentment if it becomes apparent over time that there is substantially more money available for public services on the Scottish side of the border than on the English side and that that resentment will undermine English support for the maintenance of the United Kingdom, which would be very unwelcome if it happened?

[Lord Dunlop]

I absolutely understand what the noble Lord is saying. That is why we have sought a deal that is fair to Scotland and to the rest of the UK.