Analysis: Another day, and at least three more ways in which Scotland is diverging from England. Scottish Political Editor Douglas Fraser looks at the tensions of devolution.

Another day, and at least three more ways in which Scotland is diverging from England. Scottish teachers' pay breaks through the barrier Gordon Brown wanted to impose on the public sector, while a Scottish loyalty test is being put to applicants for NHS doctors' posts north of the border.

Meantime, a rift opens up over policing methods, with Holyrood's Justice Secretary highlighting the sharply different approach to anti-terrorism taken by the one London-led force operating in Scotland.

This expands the picture emerging since the SNP took power. Expensive medicines approved for NHS use in Scotland but not England. Free prescription charges following on free personal care for the elderly. A freeze on council tax for the next three years. The ending of student fees while English universities strain to break the annual fee barrier of £3000.

"That's devolution for you," observes a St Andrew's House insider. "It's about divergence. Otherwise, what would be the point?"

It means more political heat, however, particularly when it seems the same funding pot is providing more for Scots. England sees Scotland as feather-bedded, and while this paper has shown it is not, you have to search hard to see where divergence is benefiting England.

The SNP administration insists decisions are taken because they are the right ones, and that comparison with England is unhelpful. This is not to cause cross-border tensions, it is claimed. But if it spells trouble for Gordon Brown or for the cohesion of a disuniting kingdom, don't expect Alex Salmond to lose sleep.

The awkwardness of the divergence hit home this week after the Home Secretary in Whitehall got tough with police pay. Jacqui Smith refused to backdate a settlement as an independent pay review had recommended. For Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, it was in the budget, so he reckoned: why not?

Gordon Brown took the flak in the Commons when asked why police in Scotland are better paid than England. He claimed that it was being funded by money the SNP should be spending to keep its pledge of 1000 more police officers - an odd argument, when Labour had made no such pledge.

His lieutenant and Children's Secretary, Ed Balls, was also tackling the Scottish Government, taking his cue from a Wendy Alexander attack line that Treasury money intended for vulnerable children was not being ring-fenced in Scotland.

That is a sign that Brown is getting more alert to the dangers posed by Scottish divergence and seeing it as a political challenge that needs countered. But if you were Gordon Brown, you would hardly want to pick a fight with Holyrood when your own Kirkcaldy constituents are among those benefiting from SNP largesse.

Alex Salmond, meanwhile, has let down those who expected all-out warfare with Whitehall when he took office in Edinburgh.

The claim is that tensions are more side-effect than design, but Mr Salmond doesn't seem to mind prodding a reaction out of English nationalism. And particularly while Gordon Brown is in power, the SNP leader can leave the trusty English bulldog to pick the fights for him.