Title

DEVOLUTION

Burnham calls for English Barnett Formula

The Government should create an English version of the Barnett Formula to deliver fair funding outside of London, the mayor of Greater Manchester has said.

The Government should create an English version of the Barnett Formula to deliver fair funding outside of London, the mayor of Greater Manchester has said.

Andy Burnham argued that an English equivalent to the formula, which ensures that extra public spending in England is matched by additional funding for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, would end the ‘tyranny' of the Whitehall bidding culture.

Speaking at an event later today, Mayor Burnham is expected to say: ‘We have had 20 years where there has been a different deal on offer for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland compared to the rest of the UK and where London has had preferential treatment, and that cannot continue.

‘The hoarding of power at a national level is deeply unhealthy and the UK must embrace a more federal form of government, much deeper devolution to all parts of the UK and an English version of the Barnett Formula.'

DEVOLUTION

Lack of Government assurance over governance change funding

By Dan Peters | 09 September 2025

The Government has refused to reassure councils forced to scrap their committee systems it will provide funding to help them change their governance models.

DEVOLUTION

Warwickshire risks become a devo island, chief executive warns

By Ann McGauran | 09 September 2025

The rejection by West Midlands mayor Richard Parker of Warwickshire joining his combined authority puts the county at risk of becoming a devolution island, a...

DEVOLUTION

How councils will fare under Fair Funding 2.0

By Jonathan Meek | 04 September 2025

Simon Christian and Jonathan Meek analyse the impact of the Fair Funding Review 2.0 on different council types and highlight the winners and losers among the...

DEVOLUTION

Getting fiscal devolution right

By Luke Raikes | 28 August 2025

Luke Raikes says local tax powers can help revive the places Whitehall abandoned, and he proposes three quick wins the Government could move forward with imm...

Popular articles by Laura Sharman