The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Devolution being bypassed by cash offer, SNP claims
Boris Johnson’s “levelling up” plan could see Aberdeen, Dundee and the Highlands handed millions of pounds in extra cash.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak revealed details of two new schemes, the Community Renewal Fund (CRF) and the Levelling Up Fund, in Wednesday’s Budget with a pledge to “support high street regeneration, local transport and heritage assets”.
Council areas have been ranked in tiers according to need and will be invited to bid for a share in more than £1 billion.
According to the Treasury, where appropriate, the UK Government will seek “advice” from the devolved administrations on bids – but ultimately projects will be decided by local councils, MPS and Westminster, angering the Scottish Government.
Scottish trade minister Ivan Mckee, appearing before MPS yesterday, hit out at the lack of consultation over the funds and methodology in deciding areas in need.
He said: “We’ve been rebuffed and ignored by the UK Government at every turn, which is hugely disappointing despite various efforts to engage in a grown-up way.
“Of the conversations we have had, one with the Scotland Office was, frankly, quite embarrassing because they knew less about what was happening than we did.”
In a fiery appearance before the Scottish affairs committee, Mr Mckee said the funds were “clearly part of an assault on devolution”
He said: “The UK Government has now clearly set its stall out as wanting to engage, operate, act and take control of many aspects that are devolved.
“It really talks to an agenda that’s challenging the very premise of devolution.”
Pressed on whether he felt there was a “concerted attempt to bypass the Scottish Government”, he said: “The answer is yes, very clearly yes. I don’t think there’s any secret about that.”
Mr Mckee also questioned the methodology behind the funding, saying the tier system “talks to a lack of understanding about Scotland”.
Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross later clashed with Mr Mckee, telling him Scots wanted to see both the UK Government and Scottish Government working together.
“Far from damaging devolution, this shows our two governments can both work together,” he said.
Mr Mckee branded that point “ridiculous”, adding: “Of course, communities want to see the benefit of those funds and want to see governments working together and we’re very happy to do that.
“But we’ve also got to recognise there is a devolution settlement, which does specify what is reserved and what is devolved and it’s a clear political act by the UK Government to cut across that.”