No recriminations after failure to agree on the levy

There was a time when failure to agree a levy deal and the scheme going to determination by the government would be met with much wailing and gnashing of teeth.

But due to the unique circumstances surrounding this year's talks, the lack of an agreement came with almost an air of resigned inevitability.

There was no official comment from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport following the news that for the second year on the trot the secretary of state would have to determine the scheme, although the government's disappointment was made clear.