SNP calls for the head of the Scottish Secretary

PMQs: Mundell attacked for ‘failing’ Scotland over Tory-DUP deal

The SNP’s leader in Westminster has called for the Scottish Secretary to resign for “failing to lift a finger” for Scotland in the Tory-DUP deal.

Theresa May swerved two questions from Ian Blackford, who heads up the Nationalist group of MPs, on whether David Mundell had attempted to secure extra cash for Scots as part of the arrangement.

Mr Mundell, who sits in Theresa May’s cabinet, has been under pressure since he said he would not agree to any deal that “could be construed as back door funding to Northern Ireland”.

The DUP extracted more than £1 billion for Northern Ireland in a financial agreement that fell outside the Barnett formula, which ensures Treasury funding is distributed to nations proportionally. The SNP says that deprives Scotland of nearly £3bn.

During Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr Blackford asked whether Mrs May had received “any representations from her Scottish Secretary about the DUP deal, either before or after it was signed”.

He accused the PM of failing to “give a straight answer”, and asked again: “Did she receive any representations about the DUP deal from the Secretary of State for Scotland – yes or no?”

Mrs May said: “I can assure (Mr Blackford) that I regularly receive representations from the Secretary of State for Scotland about matters relating to Scotland, including regular representations which point out that if the Scottish nationalists actually have the interests of Scotland at heart they will want to remain part of the United Kingdom.”

The PM earlier said £800 million extra cash is going to Scotland thanks to spending announcements in the Autumn statement.

Calling for his resignation afterwards, Mr Blackford said: “It’s become apparent David Mundell failed to lift a finger to secure any more cash for Scotland through Barnett consequentials.

“His position is now utterly untenable.”

A Scotland Office insider dismissed the SNP call, saying the Scottish Secretary has the “full confidence” of the PM.

Earlier, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn claimed the Grenfell Tower tragedy has “exposed the disastrous effect of austerity”.

Mrs May said it must be investigated why local and fire authorities had not picked up on the existence of combustible cladding, when it breaches fire regulations.

“The cladding of tower blocks began under the Blair government,” she said.

Mr Corbyn said: “When you cut local authority budgets by 40% we all pay a price in public safety.”

Meanwhile, the UK Government gave an indication it could end the 1% cap for public sector workers, which was introduced five years ago.

A Number 10 source said: “We understand people are weary after years of hard work to re-build the economy.”

The Scottish Government has also signalled it would abolish the pay rise limit, which gives workers a real terms cut.

Picture: PA. Theresa May swerved two questions from Ian Blackford, who heads up the Nationalist group of MPs, on whether David Mundell had attempted to secure extra cash for Scots as part of the arrangement.