This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-35516879

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Fiscal framework: No agreement reached after latest crunch talks Fiscal framework: No agreement reached after latest crunch talks
(about 3 hours later)
Crunch talks aimed at ending a dispute over the financial arrangements to accompany the Scotland Bill have broken up without agreement.Crunch talks aimed at ending a dispute over the financial arrangements to accompany the Scotland Bill have broken up without agreement.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney and UK Treasury minister Greg Hands met in Edinburgh.Deputy First Minister John Swinney and UK Treasury minister Greg Hands met in Edinburgh.
The row concerns how much should be cut from the block grant once Scotland gains new tax powers.The row concerns how much should be cut from the block grant once Scotland gains new tax powers.
Both the Scottish government and the UK Treasury said they would continue to seek a solution.Both the Scottish government and the UK Treasury said they would continue to seek a solution.
'Fair agreement''Fair agreement'
Speaking after the latest talks, Mr Hands said: "We discussed a number of issues, there are still a number of issues out there.Speaking after the latest talks, Mr Hands said: "We discussed a number of issues, there are still a number of issues out there.
"I think we need to get a deal that is fair to tax payers in Scotland and fair to tax payers across the UK."I think we need to get a deal that is fair to tax payers in Scotland and fair to tax payers across the UK.
"That is one of the key considerations of the Smith agreement - tax payer fairness - and we need to make sure we can get a deal that both governments can sell to their parliaments as well.""That is one of the key considerations of the Smith agreement - tax payer fairness - and we need to make sure we can get a deal that both governments can sell to their parliaments as well."
Mr Swinney told BBC Scotland: "We are working very hard to try to secure an agreement but I don't think we should underestimate the scale of the issues that we have to overcome to secure that agreement.Mr Swinney told BBC Scotland: "We are working very hard to try to secure an agreement but I don't think we should underestimate the scale of the issues that we have to overcome to secure that agreement.
"We want a position whereby the tax payers in Scotland and tax payers in the rest of the UK are no better and no worse off as a consequence of the devolution of these responsibilities.""We want a position whereby the tax payers in Scotland and tax payers in the rest of the UK are no better and no worse off as a consequence of the devolution of these responsibilities."
He added: "I am not going to set any barriers in the way of getting an agreement. I am determined to get an agreement - but only one that is fair to Scotland."He added: "I am not going to set any barriers in the way of getting an agreement. I am determined to get an agreement - but only one that is fair to Scotland."
Scottish ministers had previously said they want a fiscal framework deal agreed this week so it can be scrutinised by Holyrood.Scottish ministers had previously said they want a fiscal framework deal agreed this week so it can be scrutinised by Holyrood.
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.
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 has insisted that a good deal is on the table.But the UK government has insisted that 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.
Scottish Labour has, meanwhile, called for both sides to set out the principles behind their positions on the framework. Shadow Scottish Secretary, Labour MP Ian Murray, said it was "deeply disappointing" that a deal had not been reached.
MP Ian Murray has written to Mr Hands and Mr Swinney saying the "negotiations are too important to be happening behind closed doors". He added: "Both John Swinney and Greg Hands need to clear their diaries until a deal is done. This deal is now all that stands between our politicians and the powers necessary to make Scotland fairer.
Both sides have said they would not provide a running commentary on the talks. "We all agree on that - it's time to get on with it."