Lord Forsyth Fears for the Barnett Formula

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean (Conservative):

The other day, someone in my party-an accomplished policy wonk-was challenged with the notion that the Scotland Bill and the move towards taxation would inevitably result in discussion of the Barnett formula. He said: "Oh, there is no way that people will ever take that money away from Scotland. We are safe". We must not make these assumptions. These are deep waters.

The identity of the policy-wonk remains a mystery but it might as well be George Osborne who, as Chancellor of the Exchequer, has well and truly kicked reform of the Barnett Formula into a distant and unknowable future.