Unfair bias Scots get £1623 more than people living in England

Mollie, where did I say you ALL want Scotland to stay in the union?
I can't find it anywhere.

Yes jingl some of us are occupied with issues other than rising to the bait. Nice to know you're thinking of us today . X

Oh God! Didn't quite dare to mention the whisky. And I don't know what Special Brew is. (though I suspect it's nothing like Yorkshire tea)

Perhaps it's because you didn't mention the whisky and the Special Brew, jingl...

Well! I'm surprised you are the only one to protest. Where are all the Scottish GNs?

And I thought a nice old rumpus would be a nice way to pass the time while we wait for the result. Sigh!

I must be a "pretend " Scot then as I don't eat fried Mars Bars,fry ups or smoke.I also swim 3 times a week and cycle 4 or 5 miles regularly,

The Scots need the extra money to cope with the effects of their diets of deep-fried mars bars, cake, fry-ups, and fag smoking. And lack of exercise.

Whether they get it or not will depend upon getting it through parliament. (the UK one)

Exactly, HollyDaze. Perhaps durhamjen wouldn't find it so funny if that were to happen.

Good for Scotland for getting as much as they can out of the government that could not care less about those of us north of the Humber.

The problem with that durhamjen is that they are not taking it from the government but from other taxpayers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland who are already financially disadvantaged compared to Scotland.

I admire the Scots for standing up for themselves but I couldn't hope that they would take a larger portion (to stay) than that to which they are entitled - especially if it is at the cost of the living standards for rest of the UK.

mollie65

I also hope that Scotland get their independence. They seem to get by far the best deal from the UK government at the moment. I get cross when I hear them saying they want a "fairer" society as the present system is very "unfair" but biased strongly towards the Scots. I am married to a Scot, who agrees! My mother was Scottish, we have a lot of family still in Scotland and I was born and brought up 3 miles from the Scottish border. I think Alex Salmond should be very careful what he wishes for!!

mollie65 well said mollie, I also hope Scotland will vote YES, but alas I think it will be a no vote.

durhamjen why is this thread funny? where does it say we all want Scotland to stay in the union?
the point is - Scotland and the Barnet formula (that even the author of it admits is unfair and should have been temporary) ensure advantage for Scotland who do not need 'more largesse' handed to them as a bribe to vote NO when investment is not happening not just North of the Humber but anywhere north of the Thames
I for one hope Scotland vote YES and England, Wales and NI get equal treatment and not a 'regional devolution' but a true parliament with Westminster responsible for defence and international relations.

I think this thread is quite funny. People who think that Scotland should stay in the union will then complain that Scotland are getting an unfair deal!
Good for Scotland for getting as much as they can out of the government that could not care less about those of us north of the Humber.

I imagine that all the 'promises/bribes' offered by the 'gruesome trio' will have to be debated and passed by Parliament. Gordon Brown (I think) is saying that these 'whatever you want to call them' are written in stone, when they can't be. England Wales and Northern Ireland will certainly have something to say if we are pushed too far, there is enough ill feeling already to ensure that. I see lots of battles ahead whichever way this vote goes.

If the Yes vote wins I hope there is a big furore about the amount London gets compared to the rest of us. Their cut from the Arts Council is much greater than any other part of the UK and they get most of the tourists so maybe they should get less funding

Hi what about free prescriptions and free university tuition as well, are we being discriminated against? If it was the other way round the Scots would say they were.

Then you are more optimistic than I am Gracesgran about the English actually standing up for themselves and I suspect that Labour and Tory feel confident in that also otherwise why would they keep doing what they keep doing? I would love to hear England shout 'okay, enough is enough and no more' - but I'm still waiting

... if you push us far enough we are a force to be reckoned with Holldaze

I would be surprised if the English do act on anything that has been mentioned. The UK government (both of them) seem to be able to mete out anything they like (the EU instead of the Common Market, immigration, reduced health services but still take the same amount in taxation to pay for it, education cuts, etc) and the English complain to each other but not much else. Maybe the English need to take a leaf out of the Scots book and actually do something about it - otherwise, it will just continue; the squeaky wheel gets the oil I'm afraid.

devo max seems to be suggesting that 'things will only get better' for Scotland - not necessarily to the disadvantage of the rest of us as I think 'that London' is still better resourced - but it is a little unfair to the non-London and non-Scotland population who seem to bear the brunt of any cuts.
interesting that the Barnet formula was never intended to be permanent
If the rest of the UK begin to think that Scotland is getting a better deal there will be uproar about things such as this even if they have been ticking along unnoticed
most people have always felt this and it is now being ignited by the gruesome threesome offering even more advantage to Scotland

I am sure you are right Mishap. I do feel that, although all the parties have agreed what the Scots will get if they say no we have had no say in this. Yorkshire has a larger population than Scotland and an economy twice the size of Wales and yet has none of the devolved powers of either. As you say, those who have been disgruntled but said little may well be considerably more vocal after tomorrow.

This is just what I expressed concern about on the other thread. If the rest of the UK begin to think that Scotland is getting a better deal there will be uproar about things such as this even if theyt have been ticking along unnoticed. And any new advantages will be set upon with vigour by constituency MPs from the rest of the UK - and rightly so.