Who should pay?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/93496 /Parties-clash-over-Forth-bridge-cash

Perhaps a solution to this problem would be to re-introduce, University fees, Prescription charges, care for the elderly charges etc, in fact all those perks that the English do not receive.

The saving could then be used to pay for the bridge.

[The Sherman]

I've always said this but after reading the posts on the link is there just one single piece of evidence that the English subsidise the Scottish?
I'm sitting on the fence. I am Scottish and I do wonder how we afford all the above mentioned perks but I have never seen anything credible that suggests they get it all from English Government?

Can someone enlighten me?

[Gromit]

The Sherman

It is misleading to call the different funding arrangement a 'perk'. It is calculated using the Barnett Formula, a mechanism used by the UK treasury to fairly distribute public extending depending on the geographical differences in the UK.

A full explanation can be found here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnett_formula

This is entirely different from the Scottish Government deciding to spend its budget differently than England, and it making more populist decisions like subsidising prescription charges.

[rov1200]

So they plan to build another Forth road bridge. The current one needs repairing. The SNP wants to abolish bridge toll fees if they haven't already done so. Who is going to pay for it all? The best solution I've heard is to have variable toll fees with a maximum of �4 to cross at cetain times of day reducing to a smaller amount at non busy periods.

[The Sherman]

I didnn't mean to say it like that but yes they are very populist choices but also I think right choices?
I'm quite proud of dome of the initiatives that Scotland do, we were second behind Ireland(i think) to getting smoking stopped and I think we will lead the way in the next round of health shake ups that need to be implemented to control the problems in Scotland

[paraffin]

aog:

Just what is your agenda for posting this? We're not stirring the sh*t by any chance?

The fact is that, as a minority Government clinging by a thread, the SNP is challenged at every turn by Labour who are still smarting over having been ousted from power in Scotland by the SNP.

It is therefore hardly surprising that a row has erupted between the two over funding for such a major project.

Maybe you should have played fair to the SNP by highlighting the quote from their spokesman who said that their intention was to fund the project from, quote:

"existing Scottish Government resources".

[JockSporran]

Only when Scotland is independent will we be able to tax and spend without begging to Westminster for handouts.

[R1Geezer]

Yeah please have independance asap then we can stop subsidising you. "Tax and and spend" just look at the first word of that jock. Put up income tax to 1p more than England and there won't be sweaty in Scotland to pay it they''ll all be in England pretending to be English like the rest here now.

[The Sherman]

I can't think of anyone in the world, not just Scotland who would want to be English. Half your own country aren't proud to be English Geezer

[mosesg]

Are you sure we aren't subsidising you R1geezer after all most of the tax in this country come from the OIl companies and where is most of the oil? Scotland of course.!!!! Whre I live the recession has barely hit, so maybe that says something about the wealth of our country

[R1Geezer]

FFS change the record, too easy, you don't own the north sea, oil was there millions of years before the English got it out for you.

Maybe so Sherman but at least they are proud enough to live here. Why is my town full of sweaties telling me how kin wonderful Jock land is, it it really? well fcuk off back if it's so kin wonderful. Your just deperately sad you missed out on being English by a small act of Geography, never mind hide the accent like most of your countrymen and you can pass for English.

[The Sherman]

Who the hell do you think you are telling me I'm desperately sad!

I work for a british company and had to move to England if i wanted to get a better job back home!

I seem to remember beating several English candidates so was the best person for the job!
I have scottish and English family so do not favour one above the other. Cretins like YOU however remind me I feel alot more at home in Scotland and look forward to the day that I am qualified and can indeed go back where i belong!

[R1Geezer]

yep, got live one there! So it's alright for you to slag of the English, we ain't allowed to fight back? Can't have it both ways pl0nker!

[The Sherman]

I think you're deluded! what was your fist comment about sewaties? and pretending to be English?

you can call me a pl0nker if you want but at least i aint retarded!

[R1Geezer]

I think you'll find that in fact you are!

[The Sherman]

Well i Guess i'm one of the highest paid retards in England then!

[mosesg]

R1geezer you are right we don't own the North Sea, the crown does and I think you will find it was the American's who helped us get oil out of the ground initially

I do not dislike the English being part English myself . I have many good friends who are English, working in the oil industry work alongside many wonderful nationalities who have chosen to make Scotland their home

what I object to are people like yourself who call us sweaties, and call us scroungers, we pay more than our fair share of taxes, many spend literally bailing England out over the last few years when they were under water!!!!