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turbulentfurball
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Québec
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2007-01-13, 14:48

Thanks for your thoughts Carol. The reality of the Barnett formula is subject to much discussion:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Another blatant lift from Wikipedia
Scottish Nationalists have also pointed to what has been termed the Barnett squeeze. They say that rather than protecting the favourable spending position of Scotland, that instead the Barnett formula is a method to steadily erode that advantage. They point out that if a 4% increase is needed in expenditure to cover inflation, Scotland will only get an increase of 3% of its total budget, whereas England will get the full 4% (proportional to population share; however, both amounts will be equivalent). After inflation, this would mean a 1% budget reduction for the Scottish Executive.
I've read lots of conflicting views on the subject so I'm undecided as to whether or not it's a 'good' thing.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Windswept
1) Scotland gets considerably *more* than their fair share of finances, and 2) Scottish members get to cast influential votes on matters that don't concern them...

...then it would be more fair 'for others' if Scotland were separate and independent.
That's the main reason that English support for Scottish independence has been rising.
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