The Barnett Formula - is it fair?

[Johnsonontheleft]

Just heard a Scottish Labour MP on TV saying that he would be fighting for the continuation of the Barnett Formula which I think means higher public spending in Scotland.

Is the Barnett Formula fair, and if not then why is this Labour MP campaigning to keep it?

 

[W12]

No. We give enough in aid already.

 

[denislawsbackheel]

Rather than a meaningless unhelpful response like the previous one forum members may like to find out just what it is here

<a class="postlink" href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnett_formula" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnett_formula</a>

Interestingly N Ireland gets even more money per capita than Scotland.

 

[denislawsbackheel]

Rather than a meaningless unhelpful response like the previous one forum members may like to find out just what it is here

<a class="postlink" href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnett_formula" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnett_formula</a>

Interestingly Wales also benefits over England and N Ireland gets even more money per capita than Scotland.

 

[Why Always Ste]

[bigimg]http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzo3c9lkJY1r6ic2eo1_400.jpg[/bigimg]

[bigimg]http://static.guim.co.uk/Guardian/film/gallery/2008/jan/11/1/coenhair1-2021.jpg[/bigimg]

[bigimg]http://www.squawka.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/reu_2093129.jpg[/bigimg]

These guys probably don't think the Barnet Formula is fair....

 

[west didsblue]

Of course not.

Even Lord Barnett didn't think it was fair. It was supposed to address a short term problem in the 70s and we've still got it because no-one can come up with something that everyone agrees.

 

[roaminblue]

Describe "fair'.

Heck, describe the Barnett formula. I assume you know it's computation?

Or is this going to be another one of your threads where you offer no insight or rebuttle and simply pop up every five pages or so, while others are debating, and throw in some meaningless, anecdotal, rhetorical shite, like a serial farter at a dinner party?

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

I would describe it as anachronistic.

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

Just heard a Scottish Labour MP on TV saying that he would be fighting for the continuation of the Barnett Formula which I think means higher public spending in Scotland.

Is the Barnett Formula fair, and if not then why is this Labour MP campaigning to keep it?

I heartily concur with roaminblue's post. If you want a debate then let's have one, with you actually making a meaningful contribution for a change. Our suspicion is that you're simply a troll who is rapidly becoming tedious.

The Barnett formula was, in fact pretty fair on a superficial level, as it matched spending in Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland to spending in England respective to the relative populations of the three other countries respectively, adjusted by the level of comparable services provided in each of those three countries.

The problem was that it was probably based on inaccurate population data and didn't take into account the differing level of needs.

 

[Gabriel]

Rather than a meaningless unhelpful response like the previous one forum members may like to find out just what it is here

<a class="postlink" href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnett_formula" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnett_formula</a>

Interestingly Wales also benefits over England and N Ireland gets even more money per capita than Scotland.

What I find amusing is that the Barnett formula is always raised when people wish to draw a distinction between Scotland and England. However, as a percentage, London rakes in even more, yet those in middle England don't seem to question that, perhaps because the media only shows things through the prism of nationalism.

Labour's desire to retain the formula might also have something to do with its block of London MPs. Wonder if the incumbent Mayor of London would be in favour of London receiving less in future?