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The Budget

It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to contribute to this important parliamentary scrutiny of the Budget in relation of Wales. I apologise that I was not able to attend this morning’s sitting, but that was because I was fortunate enough to have secured a debate in Westminster Hall on special educational needs. I want to focus first on the consequences for Wales of the Budget and, secondly, on what action should be taken to make the best use of opportunities. Reference has been made to the Barnett formula under which, according to the calculations in the Holtham report, Wales was in the region of £300 million short at the time of that report. That is a fact of the formula as it stands. It has been in place since the 1970s and the previous Administration failed even to consider investigating it. Those who cry for additional funding now need to recognise the role that they played—or did not play—in bringing about fair justice and funding for Wales from the English spending Departments. I recognise that, for the first time, we have an Administration who are prepared to look at the data.