Scotland’s funding formula means the elderly and vulnerable in England “matter less” than those in Scotland, a Conservative MP has told Gordon Brown.
The Barnett formula dictates the level of public spending in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and is based on the population of each nation and which powers are devolved to them.
Esher and Walton Conservative MP Dominic Raab hit out at Mr Brown’s defence of the formula, which he made during his adjournment debate on Scottish devolution.
Mr Raab said: “As a result of the Barnett formula, Scotland has double the ambulance staff and nurses per person that England has, and Wales gets a third less spending on social services for the elderly.”
Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael argued against English votes on English laws.
“In my view it is a solution that, if seen as an end in itself rather than a step along the road, risks creating new problems to replace the ones that already exist in our current constitutional settlement.”
Labour’s Shadow Scottish Secretary, Margaret Curran, added: “Gordon Brown played a key role in making the argument for keeping our country together and it’s right he should now keep us all true to our word and ensure the vow is delivered.
“Before the referendum, all parties agreed to respect the outcome of the vote. The Tories and the SNP should now stop colluding to reduce the voice of Scots in the UK parliament.”
SNP Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart claimed “no evidence” has been put forward from pro-UK parties that Scotland will receive new powers.
He said: “We knew Gordon Brown’s half-hour debate would be insufficient to address the full range of concerns about the issue of ‘more powers’ promised to Scotland.”