Should Scotland and Wales get increased funding too?
The deal between the DUP and the Conservatives, signed this morning and worth one billion pounds to Northern Ireland, is already triggering a debate about what should be granted to the other nations of the UK.
At the heart of the debate is the Barnett Formula. Devised by the now deceased Joel Barnett when he was Chief Secretary to the Treasury under Harold Wilson and James Callaghan, the formula is relatively simply. As a House of Commons Library note states:
“When there is a change in funding for comparable services in England, the Barnett formula aims to give each country the same pounds-per person change in funding. In general, if a service is devolved it is considered to be comparable.”
If therefore the UK Government splashes the cash in Northern Ireland, do the other nations of the UK stand to benefit proportionally the same amount?
That’s correct according to Scotland Secretary, David Mundell. The Sunday Post over the weekend quotes him as saying:
“We’re going to have a totally transparent arrangement with the DUP. I’m not going to agree to anything that could be construed as back-door funding to Northern Ireland. There are rules. The Barnett Formula is to Scotland’s advantage. I’m not going to do anything to prejudice it. Any funding that goes to Northern Ireland, then Barnett rules will ensure the appropriate funding comes to Scotland.”
Mr Mundell then must be feeling both let down and humiliated by the Telegraph this morning, which reports that ‘Scotland and Wales will not automatically get any extra money from Theresa May’s billion-pound deal with the Democratic Unionist Party.’
The paper quotes an unnamed source as saying that the DUP deal was a ‘unique situation’ which would not be covered by the Barnett Formula. The paper continues:
“It is understood that the Government will argue the handouts are ‘grants’ rather than extra departmental spending which would normally trigger the mechanism.”
Little wonder then that Welsh First Minister, Carwyn Jones, last week warned of Wales losing out as a result of the DUP’s ‘power bribe’. Referencing the negotiations between the DUP and the Tories he said:
“What we’re seeing there is an attempt to provide more money for Northern Ireland and, if I were the DUP, I’d do the same thing. But the reality is you can’t give more money to Northern Ireland and not trigger the Barnett formula, which would mean more money for Wales and Scotland.”
Ed Jacobs is a contributing editor at Left Foot Forward
2 Responses to “Will the Barnett Formula be triggered following the DUP’s £1bn ‘power bribe’?”
Alasdair Macdonald
The answer to your question, Mr Jacobs, is ‘no’. This shows the irrelevance of Mr Mundell as a Secretary of State. One of your heroine, COLONEL (sic) Ruth Davidson’s MPs has already justified the exclusion of Scotland, Wales and parts of England from the Barnett consequentials. He is, of course, Ms Davidson’s MP, because no literature issued by candidates in the GE (and the recent Council elections) mentioned ‘Conservative’. Indeed, THE COLONEL, who appears also to have seat in the Cabinet as a representative of Scotland, has said HER MPs are answerable to her and she will defend Scotland’s corner. We know now what that entails. One of HER candidates who lost in the GE, has just been elevated to the Lords and has become a Minister of State.
We really live in a democracy, don’t we? Or, as a couple of recent YouGov polls have asked, ‘do we need democracy?’
Will
To go back to basic language, Therese May is now “whoring” for her power. She seems to have absolutely no scruples, morals, or empathy for fellow man.
The book of common sense and decency has been thrown out of the window. Let her reap what she is sowing.