Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has played down the prospect of further borrowing powers for the Scottish Government, saying people do not want “endless wrangling over the constitution”.
Scottish ministers have long been arguing for more borrowing powers as part of an ongoing review of funding arrangements, known as the fiscal framework. Deputy First Minister John Swinney is due to present the Scottish Budget at Holyrood next week, as high inflation puts pressure on Government finances.
Mr Hunt was in the Scottish capital on Friday as he unveiled a package of measures called the Edinburgh Reforms aimed at cutting regulation for the financial sector. Speaking to the Herald newspaper, the Chancellor said he wanted to work with the Scottish Government on “immediate challenges” caused by the pandemic and high energy prices.
