Wales: Public Services
Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee Excerpts(3 weeks, 4 days ago)
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Lord Livermore (Lab)
As always, my noble friend says it far better than I could. I nearly always agree with him, and I do so on this point in particular.
Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee (Non-Afl)
My Lords, the Barnett formula was introduced for Scotland by a Labour Government in 1978; then it was applied to Wales and then to Northern Ireland. That is nearly 50 years ago. Surely it is time to look at a new mechanism that will reflect the modern devolved Administrations.
Lord Livermore (Lab)
I give the noble Baroness the same answer that I have given already: I do not think the Government have any such plans. The Northern Ireland Executive settlement for 2025-26 is the largest in real terms of any Northern Ireland Executive settlement since devolution. The Northern Ireland Executive will receive £18.2 billion in 2025-26.
Independent School Fees: VAT
Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee Excerpts(1 month, 1 week ago)
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Lord Kennedy of Southwark (Lab Co-op)
Can we hear from the noble Baroness, Lady Foster?
Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee (Non-Afl)
My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord. Is the Minister aware of the disproportionate impact that this tax will have on Christian schools in Northern Ireland given the structure of the education system there? Given that, will a specific impact assessment be carried out?
Lord Livermore (Lab)
The impact assessment will cover the full range of expected impacts.