Devolved Public Services: Funding
Debate between Lord Katz and Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd
Lord Katz (Lab)
I say to the noble Lord that just because something has been in existence for a long time does not mean that one necessarily has to think about reforming it as a matter of course. I inform the noble Lord, though, that the fiscal framework that has already been agreed between the UK and the Welsh Government added a needs-based factor into the Barnett formula to ensure that Wales receives fairer funding. As a result, the Welsh Government are receiving over 20% more per person than equivalent UK Government spending across the rest of the UK. The Institute for Fiscal Studies, no less, suggests that moving towards a different system, such as a needs-based system, could see the Welsh Government losing out on funding.
Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd (CB)
Will the Minister be able to outline the steps that are being taken by the Government to review the intergovernmental structures for co-operation between Cardiff, Westminster, Edinburgh and Belfast, and to ensure that these are strengthened over the next few months?