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WELSH LIB DEMS URGE FAIR FUNDING FOR WALES
June 28, 2010 10:20 AM
Welsh Liberal Democrat MPs Mark Williams and Roger Williams have today highlighted the need for fair funding for Wales in Treasury Questions, citing the Holtham Commission which found that Wales is underfunded by £300 million every year.
In his question, Mark Williams asked whether the Government accepted the conclusions of Holtham that Wales is underfunded, and asked the Government to commit to fair funding across the UK.
Responding on behalf of the Government, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander acknowledged the concerns raised by the Holtham Commission, but reiterated that dealing with the deficit is the Treasury's priority. He confirmed that a full review would take place after the referendum on further powers.
In response to a question by Mr Williams's Welsh Liberal Democrat colleague Roger Williams MP, Mr Alexander said that he would look into suggestions that the Barnett Formula could be reformed to provide a reduction in the deficit.
Commenting, Ceredigion MP Mark Williams said:
"I remain clear that we need reform of Barnett, and the new Government's recognition of Holtham is welcome as is their promise of a full review on Welsh funding.
"We obviously need to tackle the deficit and that is rightly the priority of the Treasury, but at a time when there are going to be cuts, it is even more important that those cuts fall fairly."
"I do maintain that we can tackle the deficit and put in place a need-based formula to address this issue, and I welcome Danny Alexander's commitment to look at this possibility."
Brecon and Radnorshire MP Roger Williams added:
"A debate in the House of Lords on Monday showed that there was cross-party support for reform of the Barnett formula, including from Lord Barnett, the report's author.
"It is clear that public finances need to be stabilised given the huge deficit, but it is also possible to reform the Barnett Formula at the same time.
"Reform would not mean providing additional funding but would require funding to be shifted from regions that are receiving more than their fair share to those that are not."
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