Tories might end funding mechanism for Scotland, hints David Cameron

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

David Cameron today hinted that a Conservative government might scrap the 30-year-old Barnett Formula, the mechanism which calculates how much money goes to devolved areas.

The Tory leader was speaking ahead of the Scottish Conservative conference in Ayr, in an interview in The Herald newspaper.

Asked if it was time to get rid of the formula, Mr Cameron told The Herald: "This cannot last for ever, the time is fast approaching.

"If we replace the Barnett Forumla with a needs-based formula, Scotland has very great needs and Scotland will get very great resources."

The newspaper asked whether the formula is coming to the end of the road.

Mr Cameron replied: "Yes, that's right. I want this to happen in a consensual, sensible, non-inflammatory way and that's why I've been so reticent about it."

Former Labour MP Lord Barnett came up with the funding system that is named after him more than 30 years ago.

The formula sets Scotland's share of public spending, and results in greater spending per head of population than in England, although its defenders argue that areas like London benefit massively from types of public spending not covered by the formula.

Mr Cameron also said that he was committed to the success of the Union, and warned that the SNP should not think that a Tory government in London would help the SNP towards their goal of Scottish independence.

He said: "If Alex Salmond thinks there's some clever game he can play about building on Scottish resentment against a Conservative government in England to help break up the Union, forget it.

"I will do everything I can to stop that from happening."