Scots paid to stay in Union

But never has the favouritism been as naked and unashamed as in the latest instance.

Desperately worried about next year’s vote on Scottish independence and the consequences for the Union, the Government has unilaterally decided to redistribute the next tranche of European Union structural funding, directing extra portions of cash north of the border with the clear message that, if Scotland were not part of the UK, it would be getting far less.

In the original Brussels plan for this latest round of funding, set to begin next year, Scotland was to receive a 32 per cent cut in its money, reflecting the fact that unemployment and deprivation are now nowhere near as bad north of the border as they are in some English regions such as Yorkshire.

But what was obviously viewed by the EU as a fair and carefully calculated funding settlement was seen in Whitehall as a golden opportunity to demonstrate the financial advantages of the Union. Stick with the rest of the UK, runs the clear message, and the Government will continue to stuff Scottish mouths with gold, just in case they might be tempted to shout out for independence.

For the past few decades, Yorkshire has largely maintained a dignified silence about the blatant unfairness in the distribution of regional funding.

The iniquities of the Barnett formula, for example – which has long favoured Scotland at England’s expense – have been consistently ignored even though its original author, Lord Barnett, says it is now unfair and should be abandoned.

However, at a time of severe economic downturn, when crucial regeneration funds are being diverted to an area of lesser need, the time for silence is over.

Indeed, if the UK Government has so little faith in the cause of the Union that it is reduced to offering the Scots regular cash payments to dissuade them from choosing independence, then it is not only Yorkshire that should be asking questions, but the entire country.