Denial is a River in Scotland

Aye, the old ones are the best. You might think that George Osborne’s decision to  leave the Scottish block grant more-or-less untouched in yesterday’s spending review would be a cause for chuffedness north of the border. You’d think wrong. Osborne announced a 1.9% reduction in real-terms funds made available to the Scottish government. Alex Salmond’s ministry will have to make do with £25.7 billion. All hail the Barnett formula since Mr Osborne’s decision to protect health spending ensures that the funds available to Scotland are similarly guaranteed, minimising the ability to cut the block grant even if that were deemed economically – or, rather, politically – wise. Since many English departmental budgets – justice, local government, environment etc – must endure budget cuts of more than 10% it’s evident that Scotland is treated differently. As I say, that’s plainly a consequence of budget rules and political calculation. London has little wish to antagonise the Scots in advance of the independence referendum next year.