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'No-one keener' than Cameron on fiscal devolution deal 'No-one keener' than Cameron on fiscal devolution deal
(35 minutes later)
David Cameron has said "no-one is keener on agreement" than he is over a fiscal framework for Scottish devolution.David Cameron has said "no-one is keener on agreement" than he is over a fiscal framework for Scottish devolution.
The Holyrood and Westminster governments are locked in talks over a financial deal to underpin new powers.The Holyrood and Westminster governments are locked in talks over a financial deal to underpin new powers.
Mr Cameron said he was keen to complete the "very important piece of devolution" in a fair way for Scotland and the rest of the UK.Mr Cameron said he was keen to complete the "very important piece of devolution" in a fair way for Scotland and the rest of the UK.
SNP group leader Angus Robertson warned that "time is running out" for a deal.SNP group leader Angus Robertson warned that "time is running out" for a deal.
Talks over the fiscal framework have been going on for several months, and are yet to be resolved.Talks over the fiscal framework have been going on for several months, and are yet to be resolved.
Holyrood's devolution committee wants a quick conclusion to the matter so any deal can be discussed in the Scottish Parliament before it is dissolved on 23 March ahead of elections in May.Holyrood's devolution committee wants a quick conclusion to the matter so any deal can be discussed in the Scottish Parliament before it is dissolved on 23 March ahead of elections in May.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has written to the prime minister outlining parts of the Scottish government's case over the 'no detriment' principle.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has written to the prime minister outlining parts of the Scottish government's case over the 'no detriment' principle.
The Smith Commission on further powers said any deal should not impact adversely on Scotland or the rest of the UK, but Ms Sturgeon said the Treasury seemed instead to be trying to decide "what level of detriment that Scotland should bear".The Smith Commission on further powers said any deal should not impact adversely on Scotland or the rest of the UK, but Ms Sturgeon said the Treasury seemed instead to be trying to decide "what level of detriment that Scotland should bear".
At prime minister's questions, Mr Robertson claimed the plans as they stand could cost Scotland £3bn, and said time was running out to deliver a fair deal.At prime minister's questions, Mr Robertson claimed the plans as they stand could cost Scotland £3bn, and said time was running out to deliver a fair deal.
Mr Cameron responded that the deal struck needed to be fair for taxpayers across the UK as well as north of the border.Mr Cameron responded that the deal struck needed to be fair for taxpayers across the UK as well as north of the border.
Analysis by Nick Eardley, BBC Scotland Westminster correspondent Why the deal matters to the PM
With the clock ticking, the arguments are heating up. Analysis by BBC Scotland political editor Brian Taylor
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon accuses the UK government of trying to "systematically reduce the Scottish budget". She claims the deal on the table could cost Scotland £3bn over a decade. This is personal for the PM. He endorsed the vow (sorry, Vow). He endorsed Smith. He promised to deliver new tax powers.
David Cameron says her party has a "grievance agenda". He wants powers transferred so people can see what ministers at Holyrood are made of. Both messages - English politics and personal commitment - matter. David Cameron wants a deal.
The sides disagree on how close they are to reaching a deal on the fiscal framework. Scottish ministers say there needs to be significant movement, the UK government thinks agreement is within "touching distance". They both say they want agreement on time for the Holyrood elections. Many inside the Scottish government are beginning to conclude that a deal may be impossible.
But if that is to happen, there will have to be compromise. They base this on the fact that virtually no progress has been made in recent discussions between the Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney and Greg Hands, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
Others - the optimists, if you like - believe that a Prime Ministerial intervention could be decisive. Although one in that camp confided to me that, without such an intervention, the prospects of a deal were "zero."
Read more from Brian
Mr Cameron said: "Negotiations are under way, I want us to successfully complete this very important piece of devolution in a fair way.Mr Cameron said: "Negotiations are under way, I want us to successfully complete this very important piece of devolution in a fair way.
"There's an ongoing negotiation to reach a fair settlement, and I would say to the Scottish first minister and the Scottish finance minister they have to recognise there has to be fairness across the rest of the UK too"There's an ongoing negotiation to reach a fair settlement, and I would say to the Scottish first minister and the Scottish finance minister they have to recognise there has to be fairness across the rest of the UK too
"With goodwill, I can tell you that no-one is keener on agreement than me."With goodwill, I can tell you that no-one is keener on agreement than me.
"I want the SNP, here and in Holyrood, to have to start making decisions. Which taxes are you going to raise, what are you going to do with benefits?"I want the SNP, here and in Holyrood, to have to start making decisions. Which taxes are you going to raise, what are you going to do with benefits?
"I want to get rid of this grievance agenda and let you get on with a governing agenda, so we can see what you're made of.""I want to get rid of this grievance agenda and let you get on with a governing agenda, so we can see what you're made of."
Scottish Secretary David Mundell told MPs that the Scottish and UK governments are "within touching distance" of a fiscal framework deal.Scottish Secretary David Mundell told MPs that the Scottish and UK governments are "within touching distance" of a fiscal framework deal.
Labour's Ian Murray had claimed that tennis star Andy Murray's newborn daughter could win Wimbledon before a deal is done.Labour's Ian Murray had claimed that tennis star Andy Murray's newborn daughter could win Wimbledon before a deal is done.
However, Mr Mundell welcomed Ms Sturgeon's letter to Mr Cameron as good progress on the matter, saying: "We are within touching distance of striking a deal and I remain optimistic that we will do so.However, Mr Mundell welcomed Ms Sturgeon's letter to Mr Cameron as good progress on the matter, saying: "We are within touching distance of striking a deal and I remain optimistic that we will do so.
"Until everything is agreed, nothing is agreed. But considerable progress has been made on all these issues. I very much welcome what the first minister said in her letter, that the finance secretary is going to bring forward revised proposals from the Scottish government."Until everything is agreed, nothing is agreed. But considerable progress has been made on all these issues. I very much welcome what the first minister said in her letter, that the finance secretary is going to bring forward revised proposals from the Scottish government.
"That's what a negotiation involves, revised proposals as a negotiation progresses and that's exactly what the government is doing."That's what a negotiation involves, revised proposals as a negotiation progresses and that's exactly what the government is doing.
"Both sides have done the dance - let's do the deal.""Both sides have done the dance - let's do the deal."
'Difficult discussion''Difficult discussion'
During portfolio questions at Holyrood, Scottish finance secretary John Swinney said he remained "committed" to the discussions.During portfolio questions at Holyrood, Scottish finance secretary John Swinney said he remained "committed" to the discussions.
He said: "I don't think anyone could question the amount of time and energy and commitment I have put in to trying to resolve these questions.He said: "I don't think anyone could question the amount of time and energy and commitment I have put in to trying to resolve these questions.
"What I want to make clear is that we have a very difficult discussion to have to resolves the differences of opinion we have on the 'no detriment' principle."What I want to make clear is that we have a very difficult discussion to have to resolves the differences of opinion we have on the 'no detriment' principle.
"I am committed to continuing these discussions to come to an outcome which is fair to the people of Scotland, and fair to the people of the rest of the UK - which the no detriment principle is."I am committed to continuing these discussions to come to an outcome which is fair to the people of Scotland, and fair to the people of the rest of the UK - which the no detriment principle is.
"What the Scottish government will not sign up to is a mechanism which is damaging to the people of Scotland.""What the Scottish government will not sign up to is a mechanism which is damaging to the people of Scotland."