Devolution: England

Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton Excerpts

Wednesday 25th March 2015 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

My Lords, in terms of the first devolution deal, which is in Greater Manchester, the arrangements and relationships between the local authorities have been well established for over three decades. In terms of local engagement, the election of a mayor as the person accountable to government will add clarity to it.

[Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton (Lab)]

My Lords, the noble Baroness has not explained fully her remark about the Barnett formula. The Barnett formula allocates public funds between the countries of the United Kingdom. The noble Baroness seemed to imply that allocation between different areas of this country would be revisited. Also, would she take it from me that those who welcome the decentralisation moves do not number among those who are happy with the Government’s formula for allocating resources? Speaking from the north-west, we need an answer.

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

My Lords, this is a Question about England and the point I was making was that Barnett will become less relevant in the future.