Secretary of State for Wales Peter Hain today welcomed the publication of the Holtham Commission report which looked at funding and finance in Wales, including the Barnett formula.

Mr Hain said: “Gerry Holtham is a well respected figure, and his interesting report to the Welsh Assembly Government clearly represents significant research, which merits serious consideration. 

“Its findings that spending in Wales compares well with comparable English regions, and that existing funding levels are reasonable is welcome news.  This means that Barnett has not disadvantaged Wales. Indeed spending per head in Wales is 14 per cent above England compared with 10 per cent above for the North East, which is the poorest English region.”

Mr Hain added: “The report does point to his concerns over the potential future convergence downsides.  We want to keep this issue under consideration although in practice Welsh identifiable spending per head has not converged on England since 2004-05.

“I have discussed it with Rhodri, but it has only just been published and further considerations are needed.  I look forward to seeing what his Government’s conclusions are on it, in due course.

“Of course this report forms only part of the conclusions of the Holtham Commission, and the Government looks forward to Holtham’s final report.”