Public Finances: Scotland

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 5:48 pm on 3 February 2016.

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Photo of David Mundell David Mundell The Secretary of State for Scotland 5:48, 3 February 2016

Let us imagine if the situation were reversed. Does anyone think for a minute that the Scottish Government would accept a deal in which a growth in Scottish income tax relative to the rest of the UK was clawed back by the Treasury in Whitehall, to the detriment of Scottish public services? Of course they would not, and quite rightly. I want Scotland to enjoy the benefits when good decisions are made at Holyrood. As John Swinney said,

“If we take on a responsibility and make a success of it, we should bear the fruit of that;
if we get it wrong, we must bear the consequences.”