Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to undertake a detailed review of the effectiveness of the Barnett formula and its effect on allocations of finance to devolved governments within the UK.

Whilst the effective operation of the funding arrangements for the Devolved Administrations is monitored on an ongoing basis, the UK Government currently has no plans to undertake a formal review of the Barnett formula.

The Barnett formula is simple, efficient and provides a clear and certain outcome. For this reason, it has stood the test of time.

The Barnett formula ensures the same change in funding per person across the whole of the UK, while the underlying baseline funding reflects that needs are higher in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.  The devolved administrations are receiving over 20% more funding per person than equivalent UK Government spending in other parts of the UK.