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

We should be encouraging new councillors rather than sneering at their mistakes

By Mo Baines | 22 May 2026

Mo Baines says it is crucial 'in those early weeks and months, that new councillor pathways are created to share knowledge, encourage inquisitive thinking an...

DEVOLUTION

England's post-elections politics makes path to devo 'immeasurably harder'

By Ann McGauran | 21 May 2026

The post-May 7 political arithmetic of the city regions leaves delivery on devolution ‘immeasurably harder to achieve’, a sector expert has said.

DEVOLUTION

May 8: The day city regions fractured from within

By David Marlow | 21 May 2026

David Marlow says the post-7 May political composition of England’s six Integrated Settlement Mayoral Combined Authorities did not only shake up who runs cou...

DEVOLUTION

English devolution: Redefining mayoral scrutiny

By Natalie Rotherham | 20 May 2026

Natalie Rotherham says scrutiny is becoming a core pillar of England’s evolving devolved governance system, with mayoral accountability now expected to match...

Popular articles by Laura Sharman