SNP accused of ‘opposing’ Barnett funding in row over rail allocation

‘Another great train robbery’

THE SNP was warned it ‘can’t have its cake and eat it’ by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling yesterday after a demand for more cash for Scotland’s trains.

He spoke out after Nationalist MP Alan Brown criticised Westminster for ‘ripping up’ a long-standing agreement on the rail budget, amid claims there will be a £600million shortfall over five years from 019/ 0.

Mr Grayling branded the remarks a ‘historic moment’ in the Commons, as the SNP opposed a funding allocation which uses the Barnett formula.

The Treasury has said the Scottish Government will receive more than £3.6billion over the five years – an increase of £600million from the previous period. The SNP argues this is a ‘real terms cut’ and it needs £4. billion.

Speaking in the Commons, Mr Brown said: ‘Last week there was another great train robbery when £600million was removed from Scotland’s rail budget due to the Tories ripping up a long-standing funding formula. So for the sake of Scottish rail users, will the Secretary of State get together with the Treasury and give Scotland the correct funding?’

Mr Grayling replied: ‘This is an historic moment because this is the Scottish National Party opposing a funding allocation using the Barnett formula.

‘I was under the impression they regarded the Barnett formula as sacrosanct, however, when the UK Government uses the Barnett formula, they complain. They can’t have their cake and eat it.’

AN electric train was tested on the main line between Edinburgh and Glasgow for the first time at am on Wednesday. The ScotRail Alliance’s Ian McConnell called it ‘one of the final phases’ of the delayhit project to electrify lines, which will permit ‘cleaner, greener travel’. He added: ‘We are almost ready to begin the next stage... fully testing the new trains themselves.’