Hint over devolution payout formula

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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 said: "This cannot last forever, the time is fast approaching. If we replace the Barnett Formula 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 it towards its goal of Scottish independence.

He said: "If Alex Salmond thinks there is 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."