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Fiscal framework: Ministers meeting in Edinburgh for crunch talks | Fiscal framework: Ministers meeting in Edinburgh for crunch talks |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Crunch talks on the financial arrangements to accompany the Scotland Bill will resume later. | Crunch talks on the financial arrangements to accompany the Scotland Bill will resume later. |
Deputy First Minister John Swinney and UK Treasury minister Greg Hands are meeting in Edinburgh. | Deputy First Minister John Swinney and UK Treasury minister Greg Hands are meeting in Edinburgh. |
Scottish ministers want a fiscal framework deal agreed this week so it can be scrutinised by Holyrood. | Scottish ministers want a fiscal framework deal agreed this week so it can be scrutinised by Holyrood. |
A source close to John Swinney said a massive gap remained between the two sides, but the UK government said it was optimistic a deal could be reached. | A source close to John Swinney said a massive gap remained between the two sides, but the UK government said it was optimistic a deal could be reached. |
The breakthrough needed on the fiscal framework will underpin new powers for Holyrood. | The breakthrough needed on the fiscal framework will underpin new powers for Holyrood. |
Mr Swinney has repeatedly said he would not sign a deal which he believes is bad for Scotland. | Mr Swinney has repeatedly said he would not sign a deal which he believes is bad for Scotland. |
It has been claimed the block grant ministers in Edinburgh get from the Treasury could be cut by £7bn if certain calculations are used. | It has been claimed the block grant ministers in Edinburgh get from the Treasury could be cut by £7bn if certain calculations are used. |
But the UK government believes a good deal is on the table. | But the UK government believes a good deal is on the table. |
On Sunday, Mr Swinney pledged that key documents used to agree any new funding deal for Scotland would be published for scrutiny. | On Sunday, Mr Swinney pledged that key documents used to agree any new funding deal for Scotland would be published for scrutiny. |
He said he was working "flat out" to get a deal, adding: "With time running out, we need to make substantial progress." | He said he was working "flat out" to get a deal, adding: "With time running out, we need to make substantial progress." |
A source close to the deputy first minister said the Scottish government would use whatever time was possible to agree a deal. | A source close to the deputy first minister said the Scottish government would use whatever time was possible to agree a deal. |
That leaves open the possibility the deadline could be extended if the Scottish Parliament still has time to look at the framework before it breaks up for the May election. | That leaves open the possibility the deadline could be extended if the Scottish Parliament still has time to look at the framework before it breaks up for the May election. |
'Too important' | 'Too important' |
Scottish Secretary David Mundell said there had been significant movement from the UK government to address Scottish government concerns over population growth. | Scottish Secretary David Mundell said there had been significant movement from the UK government to address Scottish government concerns over population growth. |
He added the framework would be reviewed after "a few years" to make sure it was fair for Scotland and the rest of the UK. | He added the framework would be reviewed after "a few years" to make sure it was fair for Scotland and the rest of the UK. |
The UK government has said it would not walk away from the talks. | The UK government has said it would not walk away from the talks. |
Scottish Labour has, meanwhile, called for both sides to set out the principles behind their positions on the framework. | Scottish Labour has, meanwhile, called for both sides to set out the principles behind their positions on the framework. |
MP Ian Murray has written to Mr Hands and Mr Swinney saying the "negotiations are too important to be happening behind closed doors". | MP Ian Murray has written to Mr Hands and Mr Swinney saying the "negotiations are too important to be happening behind closed doors". |
Both sides have said they would not provide a running commentary on the talks. | Both sides have said they would not provide a running commentary on the talks. |