Joint declaration promises more financial
powers if independence is blocked
David
Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg have backed the deal
Comes on
the day of a TV debate between Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling
Scotland currently raises 15
per cent of its £30billion budget
David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick
Clegg have signed a joint declaration that promises more financial powers for
Scotland if it rejects independence.
The move by the leaders of the three
main parties is an attempt to rubbish claims by Alex Salmond that Westminster
will not deliver more devolution if Scots vote ‘no’.
It comes ahead of tonight's TV debate
between Scottish First Minister Mr Salmond and Alistair Darling, the former
Labour Chancellor who fronts the pro-union Better Together campaign.
There are just over six weeks to go
until voters in Scotland decide whether to remain in the UK or become an
independent nation in the September 18 referendum.
Polls have so far failed to show a majority in favour of independence,
but both campaigns are hoping to receive a boost as a result of tonight’s TV
debate. The six leaders’ declaration states: ‘We support a strong Scottish
Parliament in a strong United Kingdom.
‘We now pledge to strengthen further
the powers of the Scottish Parliament, in particular in the areas of fiscal
responsibility and social security.’
Currently, control over council tax and business rates means the
Scottish Government raises about 15 per cent of its £30billion budget, with the
majority of public spending funded by
a block grant from the UK Treasury.
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