The Barnett formula, which provides extra local government funding for Scotland and Wales, is 'in its death throes', LGA chairman Sir Merrick Cockell has said.

Speaking at the County Councils Network conference in Chester today, Sir Merrick said the system was 'designed for a different age, designed as a temporary measure' and he believes its days are numbered.

It is just one of the measures in the LGA's Rewiring Public Services policy paper that Sir Merrick claimed as moving forward.

'Some of our recommendations are begining to get some traction' he said.

He also claimed local government was making progress in the integration of health and social care.