Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Scottish Government has requested that agricultural and fisheries funding not be ringfenced and therefore subject to the Barnett Formula from 2024–25 onwards; and if so, whether they will publish any details relating to this request.

Agriculture and fisheries funding was added to the Scottish Government’s baseline funding from 2025-26. The funding is no longer ringfenced. The application of the Barnett formula and removal of the ringfence is in line with the Fiscal Framework agreed by both the UK and Scottish Governments. This decision respects the key principle of devolution, granting the Scottish Government full flexibility to determine its spending priorities.

The Scottish Government has received the biggest settlement in the history of devolution and can provide additional funding on this devolved issue if it so chooses.