§ 7. Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when she last met the First Minister, what discussions she had in relation to reform of the Barnett formula. [159295]
§ Mrs. LiddellI meet regularly with my colleague the First Minister to discuss a wide range of issues. This Government have no plans to change the Barnett formula.
§ 10. Mr. JackTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent proposals she has put forward about reform of the Barnett formula; and if she will make a statement. [159299]
§ Mrs. LiddellThe Government have no plans to scrap or to review the Barnett formula. It has provided stable settlements under successive Governments for over 20 years. The Barnett formula is also flexible. It leaves detailed decisions on the allocation of resources for devolved programmes to the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Parliament. Finally, the Barnett formula is fair, because it gives the same overall increases for devolved programmes per head of population in all four parts of the UK.