I recognise the point that Mr Ruskell makes. It would be in everyone’s interest if we could provide longer-term certainty about funding. The finance secretary, Mr Mackay, is looking in the round at the issues for a number of strands of Government funding to try to provide as much certainty as possible for investors and for the public and third sectors.

We take the point seriously. I hope that, when the budget is announced on 12 December,

Mr Ruskell will see more detail on the issues.