Response to Cabinet Statement on the Barnett Formula

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 6th Oct 2005

"I am grateful to the Minister for explaining the Barnett Process, but it wasn't an explanation that Welsh Liberal Democrats have been campaigning for. We already know how it doesn't work for Wales. What we want to know is when she will join the campaign to scrap it.

"I am curious that the Minister admits that work is being undertaken to "monitor the comparability of expenditure between devolved administration and comparable programmes in England" and will be questioning the minister about this work. Is this monitoring the first step towards seeking its reform? It's rumoured that Gordon Brown is thinking of reform - does Rhodri Morgan know something we don't? If so he should tell us.

"On any indicator you wish to name, Wales has greater needs than many other areas of the UK. That's why scrapping the population-based Barnett Formula is a priority for all who put Wales' needs firsts. A new, fairer funding formula, based on need, can only be better for Wales."