Urgent research needed to ensure Wales' needs are met - German

12.00.00am GMT Wed 18th Jan 2006

Mike German today urged Finance Minister Sue Essex not to delay research which could change the way Wales is funded.

At question time today Mr German, Assembly leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, challenged the Minister to commission independent academic research in to how Wales loses out under the current funding formula. The 'Barnett Formula' was drawn up in the 1970s to allocate spending to the Nations of the UK.

Speaking afterwards, Mr German said: "Before she retires in 2007, Sue Essex has an opportunity to create a lasting political legacy for the people of Wales.

"Changing the way Wales is funded is the single biggest thing that she - or any Finance Minister - could do to ensure that Wales' needs are properly considered. Yet she has steadfastly refused to take on her Labour colleagues on this issue. Now she says research is needed, but won't set up that research herself.

"While the Labour Party is not convinced that Wales would be better off under a new funding formula, as Finance Minister Sue Essex owes it to the people of Wales to find out.

"The Labour Assembly Government must commission serious academic research urgently. All parts of Britain need to be reassured that they are getting their fair share of government spending."