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The SNP and Scottish nationalists have been pushing for the UK Government to agree to a new independence referendum following the party’s success in May’s election. Comedian Leo Kearse ridiculed their demands noting Scotland receives a substantial amount from London every year under the Barnett Formula which allocates funds to all nations of the United Kingdom. Speaking to GB News, Mr Kearse jokingly said: “England only give us £14billion pounds a year under the Barnett Formula…”
Under the Barnett Formula, devolved administrations adjust their budget based on the per person spending increase or decrease made in England.
The formula only applies to public services that are devolved, therefore each nation receives allocated funds based on the portfolios fully in the hands of the local government.
Nicola Sturgeon has been campaigning for a new independence poll since shortly after the Brexit referendum in 2016 returned a vote for leaving the European Union.
The First Minister of Scotland insisted ahead of the local elections in May that a victory for her party would provide her with a mandate to conduct a new referendum but the SNP failed to secure an overall majority in Holyrood.
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson repeatedly shut down Ms Sturgeon’s demands, reiterating the importance of UK funding to Scotland.
The Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland (GERS) report for 2018/2019 showed tax revenue in Scotland was approximately £66 billion.
Scotland received an estimated £81 billion in public spending for the same financial year, £15 billion more than the UK Government collected via taxes.
Throughout the pandemic, Mr Johnson and the Conservative Party have repeatedly pointed out the success of the coronavirus response was based on the four UK nations working together.
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It comes as former First Minister Alex Salmond announced his party’s first conference will take place in September in Greenock, as he claimed a shift in Scottish Government policy on independence will result in increased support for Alba.
Mr Salmond said: “If our suspicions are confirmed then come September the wind from the River Clyde will be blowing firmly in Alba’s direction at our historic inaugural conference in Greenock Town Hall.”
A spokesman for the SNP said: “The only party in Scotland capable of delivering independence is the SNP.
“Once the pandemic is over, the people of Scotland will be given a choice over their future, whether to put their future in the hands of Boris Johnson or into their own hands with independence.”
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