In a speech to the CBI in Glasgow, while attacking the SNP’s “separatist” agenda, the Prime Minister told business leaders that Holyrood needed to be more accountable for the money it received. 

"First of all, devolution has worked but I do see one problem. While there have been good reasons why this is so, the Scottish Parliament is wholly unaccountable for the budget it spends but not for the size of its budget. And that budget is not linked to the success of the Scottish economy. That is why we asked the commission to look carefully at the financial accountability of the Scottish Parliament and this is a critical part of Calman's remit." he said.

The SNP has seized on Brown’s comments, welcoming the change of direction from the Prime Minister.  The party is now calling on him to rule out the possibility of powers being returned from Holyrood to Westminster, which he had previously suggested in reference to the Calman Commission. 

SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson MP said: “Brown’s conversion to tax powers for the Scottish Parliament is welcome but it must be accompanied by a clear statement that he has dropped the ludicrous suggestion that powers could be taken away from the Scottish Parliament.

“It is amazing the impact a lost by-election and the prospect of a challenging contest in Glenrothes has had on the Prime Minister.

“Gordon Brown must now rule out any prospect of Scotland’s powers returning to London and rule in a by-election visit to Glenrothes.”