Latest news with #ScottishFunding
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Has Nigel Farage just snatched defeat from the jaws of victory?
You can take the lad out of England but you can't really take the English nationalist out of the lad. Has that become the issue in the Hamilton Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election when the polling stations open? It is the increasingly prevalent view of Nigel Farage's opponents following his demand for what he called a 'review' – although I'm sure he really meant the abolition – of the Barnett formula, which has been used for more than fifty years to calculate how much the UK's nations and regions should receive from the Treasury. It is but the latest of the signs, say SNP, Labour and Tories, that Mr Farage knows nothing about Scotland. The cash Barnett produces for Scotland has become a running sore in relations between many in England and Scotland in recent years as the gap in funding between the two has grown and grown. Official figures now show that Scots now get an average £2400 more per person than those in England – a record amount. But to successive Labour, Tory and coalition UK governments, the Barnett largesse is regarded as the 'Union dividend' which helps Scotland remain a key part of the United Kingdom. Ditching what is seen as this 'Barnett bounty' for Scotland – due to reach £50 billion this year – would, say Reform's critics, be a boost for the SNP and its perpetual demand for independence. David Mundell, the former Conservative Scottish Secretary, said: 'This proves that Reform isn't a Unionist Party, instead it's a populist party that wouldn't stand up for the Union.' The Reform UK leader's view is that the system, devised by Labour's Treasury Chief Secretary in the 1970s, was out of date and should be scrapped, throwing a massive hand grenade into the already bad tempered campaign for Thursday's by-election in Hamilton, Stonehouse and Larkhall. Most Scottish politicians have insisted that the difference in average spending north and south of the border, thanks to Barnett, was justified because of poor health standards in Scotland and a widely scattered population, often in remote regions, including island communities. Mr Farage's view, shared by many in English voters, is that the money paid to Scotland through Barnett formula should be replaced by the devolved Scottish government being able to raise more of its own revenue through increased growth … and presumably higher taxes. But with the cash provided by the UK Treasury through Barnett, the so-called block grant, due to reach £50 billion this year he said that Scotland needed a 'thriving economy', instead of one heading in the wrong direction. Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay said the Farage demand would 'take a wrecking ball' to Scotland's public services and bring misery to Scottish families, workers and businesses. The main plank – indeed its only plank – of Labour's campaign is to bank heavily on the voters taking an active personal dislike to Mr Farage. They constantly place a heavy emphasis on how little he knows about Scotland while ordinary voters 'see right through him', according to Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar. That and his alleged views on race which his critics say will count against him and which Mr Farage denies. Mr Sarwar also described his Reform counterpart as a 'chief clown', while 'crashing his own campaign' was the view of another leading Labour strategist over Mr Farage's idea of ending Barnett as it would have serious repercussions for Scottish public services, such as education and the NHS. But this doesn't seem to have bothered Nigel Farage overmuch, as he captured two more defectors this week – one councillor each from Labour and Conservatives. The battle on Thursday is shaping up to be a straight fight between the SNP and Reform, with Labour struggling to stay in the race while hoping that the voters in Hamilton record their lack of fellow feeling – and then some – for the leader of Reform UK.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Warning Scots will pay for Farage's 'reckless' plans to scrap 'Union dividend'
Nigel Farage has launched a 'reckless' plan to consider scrapping the Holyrood funding deal which helps provide an annual 'Union dividend' for every Scottish family. The Reform UK leader was accused of a 'hare-brained suggestion' after he called for a review of the Barnett Formula and for the Scottish Parliament have more responsibility for raising the money it spends - sparking fears of savage cuts to public services like the NHS and schools or massive tax rises. He also shrugged off the risk that he could help hand the SNP another five years in power, saying his party could get things done at Holyrood while in opposition. On his first visit to Scotland in six years, he also doubled down on his race row with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and also accused First Minister John Swinney of inciting protesters by branding him a racist. Mr Farage held a press conference in Aberdeen to warn of the threat of 'deindustrialisation' because of the SNP and Labour's opposition to new oil and gas development, before giving the press pack a slip in Hamilton. The Barnett Formula determines that the Scottish Government must get extra funding through the block grant as a direct consequence of any public spending in devolved areas south of the Border. It helped contribute to £1,521 more net expenditure per person in Scotland than across the UK as a whole last year. Asked whether he would look to scrap the Barnett Formula given he has previously said English taxpayers are 'cheesed off' with the amount of extra money spent in Scotland, Mr Farage said: 'The Barnett Formula, it seems to me, is really somewhat out of date. 'What I'd like to see is a Scottish Government that is able to raise a bit more of its own revenue and a Scottish economy that has actually got genuine growth, and I don't think that can happen without this sector (oil and gas) booming. 'The Barnett Formula goes back to the 1970s. Is there an argument that it should be looked at again? Of course there is.' He insisted that 'devolution is here to stay' but said it has not been working well. If Scotland had to raise more of the money it spends, it could lead to massive tax rises or savage spending cuts to balance the books. Mr Farage shrugged off polling showing that Reform's rising support will help hand the SNP another term as the largest party at Holyrood, saying that his party can shift national debate and government policy 'regardless of whether we are in power or not'. Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: 'The Union dividend is worth thousands of pounds each year to every person in Scotland. Nigel Farage's reckless proposal would slash funding for our NHS, schools, roads and many other essential public services. 'Alternatively, it would mean further tax rises on hard-working Scots – or, more likely, a double whammy of both cuts and tax hikes. 'Reform's hare-brained suggestion of ripping up the Barnett formula is irresponsible. It would take a wrecking ball to our public services and cause misery for Scottish families, workers and businesses. 'The SNP must be delighted by Farage's latest idea because the only people in Scotland who would benefit from scrapping the Union dividend are nationalists. If Farage knew or cared anything about Scotland, he would know that such a reckless move would increase support for the SNP and independence.' He added: 'Our public services are a complete mess after 18 years of SNP Government. Schools and hospitals need smart investment, not the savage cuts that would be the consequence of Reform's plan. 'Nigel Farage needs his head examined if he thinks scrapping the Union dividend is sensible.' Mr Farage was greeted by a crowd of around 20 protesters chanting 'Nigel go home' when he arrived at Aberdeen's Pocra Quay, with one banner proclaiming 'Farage not welcome in Scotland'. He claimed that protests had been incited by Mr Swinney saying he was bringing 'racism and hatred' into the heart of the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election. Mr Farage said he had not heard chants calling him a racist in England 'for a very long time' and said Mr Swinney used the word 'in a deliberate and very, very provocative way'. He added: 'Do you know what, the more they insult me the more I know we must be doing something right. And I think they are in a blind state of panic. They are chucking around insults. 'I think the First Minister was yesterday trying to be inciteful in what he said. For today, I will not return the compliment. I'm not going to get involved in a war of words.' He also doubled down on his party's controversial criticism of Mr Sarwar, after it published a social media video claiming he would 'prioritise the Pakistani community'. Mr Farage said: 'We don't talk about race at all. We think everybody should be treated equally, we object very strongly to the segmentation of people into different types. 'And I think, to be frank, Mr Sarwar has a record of obsessing on this issue. 'There was the speech that he gave in the Scottish Parliament saying 'why are the judiciary white', 'why are these leading figures in Scotland white'. The most extraordinary speech given the statistics and figures here. 'And actually I think that speech that he gave was sectarian in its very nature, you know 'we are the south Asian community, we are going to take over the country, take over the world'. Reform yesterday unveiled Aberdeen councillor Duncan Massey as the latest to defect to the party from the Conservatives. Mr Farage said the party is now making 'remarkable strides' in Scotland and said polls suggest it is 'beginning to eclipse Labour' as the second-biggest party north of the Border. Condemning the opposition of the SNP and Labour governments to new oil and gas development which he said would make the UK more reliant on imports, he said: 'We are seeing Scotland, and many parts of England and Wales, literally deindustrialising before our very eyes. 'Yes there are arguments around new industries, but for every job created in a new industry many more could be lost in conventional industries. 'We now have the most expensive commercial energy prices in the world and the whole thing is complete and utter madness.' Reform UK Richard Tice said it is a 'tragedy' that Scotland's 'energy treasure' is being left in the sea, and backed a policy of 'drill Scotland drill'. He said: 'If it aint broke don't fix it. We know it works and we should be accelerating it. 'I now call it net stupid zero. I think it is the greatest act of financial self harm ever imposed on this nation by people at Westminster.' Mr Farage also yesterday said he is 'confident' of finishing third in Thursday's by-election and it would be 'a very nice surprise' to finish second. He went on: 'Do I realistically think we could win? Well, if we do then that will be the biggest earthquake Scottish politics has ever seen.' However, he failed to turn up to a press call organised by his own party ahead of the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election on Thursday. Instead, he chose to have a drink in a pub in Larkhall with a select few with no explanation given to those left waiting. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said 'Today the chief clown Nigel Farage finally found his way to Scotland and showed just how totally out of touch with our country he is. 'Nigel Farage turned up, admitted he can't win the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election and pledged to cut funding for Scotland's NHS and public services. 'Nigel Farage is a dangerous clown and the people of Scotland see right through him.'
The Herald Scotland
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Auditor names colleges behind financial report delay
In a subsequent letter to the convener of the committee, Auditor General for Scotland Stephen Boyle advised that the colleges in question are Forth Valley College and Lews Castle College. He explained that both had failed to submit audited accounts on time, and that the SFC had therefore been 'unable to complete its financial sustainability report for the college sector'. Stephen Boyle also confirmed that he was preparing statutory reports on both organisations. The report on Forth Valley College, which explores a serious procurement breach that led to the involvement of Police Scotland, has since been submitted to parliament. During a committee session on 7 May, the SFC Chief Executive was asked to explain why reports on the financial sustainability of colleges and universities, which were due to be published in January, have in fact been delayed. The sectors are currently facing major financial challenges, with a number of universities seeking to reduce staff numbers. SFC Chief Exec Martin Boyle told committee members that the reports would be published 'in the autumn', and explained that his organisation had been unable to provide the reports in January as planned after 'a couple of colleges delayed the publication of their accounts.' Asked by Labour's Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP if he could 'put at least some information in the public domain on the financial state of the sector', Martin Boyle suggested that his organisation wanted to wait so that it could 'publish a report that covers all the colleges and universities.' Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Willie Rennie pointed out to Martin Boyle that committee members had previously been worried that SFC 'staff were not being frank with ministers about the dire situation in universities.' Mr Rennie then asked if the delay to the financial sustainability reports might 'feed into our anxiety that you are not being frank with ministers?' Martin Boyle insisted that information is provided to ministers, although conceded that some of this is kept private. Asked by committee convener Douglas Ross MSP to confirm the original and new planned dates for publication of the report, Martin Boyle advised that it would typically have been release by the end of January but will now not be available until September. He then explained that Audit Scotland's involvement in the process was 'part of the reason' why the colleges were late in submitting their accounts. Martin Boyle confirmed that accounts have now been submitted, and was pressed to explain why the report was being delayed until September if all the necessary information is available in May. He replied: 'I will go back and speak to my colleagues, and we will have a discussion about whether we should publish the report now.' An interim report has now been published. Commenting after the release of the names of the two colleges in question, Willie Rennie told the Herald: 'Scotland's colleges are facing deep financial problems and the delay in the Scottish Funding Council publishing the financial sustainability report is a clear indication of that situation. The explanation of the reason for the delay being two colleges, Forth Valley and Lews Castle, provides little confidence that the situation is under control. 'The lack of clarity from the Scottish Funding Council and also the lack of urgency to the extreme financial environment needs to change if we have any hope of overcoming this challenge.' A spokesperson for the Scottish Funding Council said: 'As Scotland's tertiary education and research authority, the Scottish Funding Council has a role in monitoring institutional sustainability to enable the best outcomes for students. 'In addition to our regular financial returns, we work closely with institutions regarding a range of issues, including their financial health. We engage with colleges and universities as soon as financial issues are identified. We then ensure they continue to fulfil their duty to learners and staff as we work alongside them to return to a position of financial health in line with a recovery plan designed to create future sustainability. 'Although we report on a sector-wide level, our interventions are on an institutional basis where, for reasons of commercial confidentiality, we are limited on the details we are able to publish' A spokesperson for Forth Valley College said: 'I can confirm that the delay in submitting the relevant accounts was linked to the College's external auditors carrying out additional scrutiny on the College's accounts related to a wider audit. This has resulted in Audit Scotland submitting a Section 22 report which was released this week. The College's 2022/23 accounts, which are now available, also outline the reasons for the delay. 'The Audit Scotland report also recognised the significant progress we have made in strengthening the processes for college-run projects. These improvements are designed to minimise the risk of similar issues arising in future, and we remain fully committed to regularly reviewing these arrangements to ensure they remain robust and fit for purpose. 'The external auditor's Annual Report for 2022/23 also concluded that with the exception of a stand-alone net zero project - the College has effective arrangements in place for financial planning, governance, and performance management. 'For clarity, the stand-alone project is no longer connected to the College and has been operating as a separate entity since June 2023.' A spokesperson for UHI North, West and Hebrides said: 'There have been significant delays to the external audit process, which resulted in late submission of our year-end accounts for 2022-23. The college do not accept the appointed auditor's view 'that the delay was due to a lack of responsiveness and staffing challenges at the college.' "UHI, as the Regional Strategic Body, submitted a formal complaint to Audit Scotland in December 2023 regarding concerns over the performance of the Audit Scotland appointed external audit provider. These matters continue to be discussed with Audit Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council. 'The basis of the Section 22 report into the 2022-23 accounts of the former Lews Castle College solely relates to a difference of opinion between the college and the appointed auditor on the college's prudent approach to the valuation of a joint venture capital asset.'
