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BBC News
16-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
MPs call for more transparency over Barnett formula calculations for Scotland
A Westminster committee has called for greater transparency over how the Scottish government is financed. The Scottish Affairs Committee made the recommendation in a report having examined the effectiveness of the Barnett formula - the measure used to work out how much money the UK government sends to devolved nations each Scottish and UK governments have long-disputed whether the formula is fair since its introduction in agreed that although the mechanism was "fit for purpose" it was not perfect, and that UK ministers should be more transparent about their calculations. The committee also said consideration should be given to increasing Scottish ministers' ability to borrow cash for infrastructure projects. The Scottish government said the committee's report confirmed its finances are largely dictated by the UK government said Scotland had received a record settlement in the recent spending Ferguson, chair of the Scottish Affairs Committee, said the Barnett formula had been the subject of continued debate since its introduction almost 50 years ago. She added: "Throughout our inquiry we've scrutinised it from every angle and ultimately found that the formula is fit for purpose and support its continued use to determine Scotland's funding levels."The formula is in no way perfect, but the committee heard no convincing evidence that there is any need for the formula to be reformed significantly, or that there is a workable alternative."The Labour MP for Glasgow West said the report set out ways to improve the way it operates in practice by "improving transparency" and making changes to the Scotland's broader financial framework. Scotland's Finance Secretary Shona Robison welcomed the said: "This report rightly recognises that Scotland's finances remain largely dictated by the UK government's spending decisions, irrespective of the impact on Scottish public services. "That has meant Scotland has been left with a shortfall of £400m to pay for the chancellor's national insurance increase, and saw Scotland short-changed by more than a billion pounds over the next three years at the recent Spending Review."Robison said the decision to tax higher earners more in Scotland helped support public services and provide free tuition, prescriptions and the Scottish Child Secretary Ian Murray said the June spending review provided the Scottish government with an extra £ added that, thanks to the formula, spending per head in Scotland was around 20% higher than the rest of the said: "This report confirms that it appears to be the position of the Scottish government to scrap that formula that delivers higher funding."They should explain why they want less money for public services in Scotland."Their plans for full fiscal autonomy would mean a £12bn cut in public spending for Scotland." The committee supported the continued use of the "imperfect" formula and recommended a series of measures to the UK government to improve its a bid to improve transparency it called for greater clarity on how comparability percentages are calculated. This could be addressed by publishing details of its calculations in future funding policy statements. The committee also expressed concern about the impact of UK government spending decisions on the Scottish government's budget "often with little warning".It said ministers in Edinburgh should have more fiscal flexibility and greater capital borrowing the Scottish government is limited to borrowing £600m for day-to-day spending and £450m for capital written evidence to the committee, Robison reiterated support for full fiscal autonomy - an arrangement which would see powers over tax and spending the report described this as an "unrealistic prospect" and added there was not a compelling case that it would automatically result in higher levels of funding for Scotland.
Glasgow Times
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Calls for action as Glasgow MPs discuss poverty issues
The event took place today at The Studio, on Hope Street, with representatives from six of the city's eight Citizens Advice Bureaux, Poverty Alliance Scotland, and Citizens Advice Scotland. MPs in attendance were Patricia Ferguson, Martin Rhodes, and Gordon McKee, while Maureen Burke, Zubir Ahmed, and John Grady were represented by staff. Read more: Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey charged with rape The session consisted of presentations and group discussions concerning social security, energy, and employment. Dr James Patrick Ferns, social policy project manager at Glasgow Citizens Advice Bureaux, said: "Glasgow CAB advisors work to help people navigate the impact of the cost-of-living crisis every day. "Having a forum to share this expertise directly with MPs is crucial if we want to effect change. "Hopefully the constructive discussions that took place this morning are the first step of a much larger conversation between policymakers and the people on the front line of addressing poverty. "We are looking forward to building upon these discussions and working with MPs to ensure that decisions made in Parliament are informed by the real-life experience of the people we see in CAB." Peter Kelly, chief executive at Poverty Alliance Scotland, said: "Too many Glaswegians remain locked in poverty. "The city's MPs have a vital role to play to ensure that more is done to change this. "Our discussion today was an important opportunity to focus on those things that will make the biggest difference - decent work, adequate social security and reducing the cost of living. "Glasgow needs real change and we look forward to continuing to work with MPs to deliver it."
Daily Record
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Scots Labour MPs hit out at ‘threats' being made to 'strong arm' them into supporting welfare cuts
EXCLUSIVE: MPs told the Record government figures claiming rebels could spark a general election was "laughable" and was driving people to block the bill. Scottish Labour MPs have hit out at the "threats" being made to "strong arm" them into backing the UK Government's benefit cuts. MPs told the Record government figures claiming rebels could spark a general election was "laughable" and was driving people to block the bill. Some 123 Labour MPs have signed an amendment against the £5 billion welfare reforms. This would be enough to bring down the bill. There are 11 Scottish MPs among the rebels - with others considering joining them. Some members of the government have been reportedly warning MPs that backing the amendment could trigger a general election or a leadership contest. One MP told the Record: "The suggestion that the rebellion could spark a general election or leadership contest is laughable. Governments will often face the prospect of losing votes from time to time. "Threatening back benchers with a General Election is desperate stuff and not credible. No one believes that line which is probably why it had the opposite effect yesterday with more MPs signing the amendment rather than less." Another MP added: 'Strong arm tactics will backfire among the 2024 intake." Ten Scottish Labour MPs have backed the bid to block the bill - including Scottish Affairs Committee chair Patricia Ferguson and chair of the Scottish Parliamentary Labour Party Richard Baker. The bill would make it harder for disabled people with less severe conditions to claim personal independence payment (Pip), with forecasts predicting the overall changes will plunge 50,000 children into poverty. The amendment supported by the rebels would give them an opportunity to reject the welfare reform bill. The wording backs the 'need for the reform of the social security system' but criticises the lack of a 'formal consultation' with disabled people and warns of the impact on poverty levels. They also hit out at their own Government for not publishing an 'assessment of the impact of these reforms on health or care needs'. The Scottish Labour sceptics are Richard Baker, Scott Arthur, Euan Stainbank, Brian Leishman, Lilian Jones, Tracy Gilbert, Elaine Stewart, Kirsteen Sullivan and Ferguson. Glasgow North East MP Maureen Burke backed the amendment later in the day - with Glasgow North MP Martin Rhodes also adding his name. There are 11 Scottish MPs who are in government - plus two mission champions - who would almost definitely have to resign their roles to rebel. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has been in favour of his party MPs backing the Government's policy agenda since the general election. One Labour source told the Record the rebellion is a sign that the unity between the UK and Scottish parties is becoming frayed. Pip is devolved to Holyrood but cuts to the budget would have a knock-on impact on the Scottish Parliament finances.
The National
24-06-2025
- Business
- The National
See the full list of 108 Labour MP rebels on UK welfare and Pip cuts
Some 108 MPs' signatures appear on a reasoned amendment spelling out why they cannot support the Labour Government's Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, which would cut back disability benefit payments by around £5 billion per year. READ MORE: Cuts to PIP will plunge families further into poverty, research says If passed – which it could do with support from Westminster's opposition parties – the amendment would block the bill from progressing to its second reading when it returns to the Commons on July 1. The amendment notes that the UK Government's 'own impact assessment estimates that 250,000 people will be pushed into poverty as a result of [the bill], including 50,000 children". Of the 108 Labour MPs who have signed the amendment, nine are from Scottish Labour. They are: Patricia Ferguson Tracy Gilbert Scott Arthur Kirsteen Sullivan Richard Baker Euan Stainbank Lilian Jones Elaine Stewart Brian Leishman Scottish Labour's nominal leader Anas Sarwar has supported the UK Government's plans to cut welfare. Leishman, the MP for Alloa and Grangemouth, urged his colleagues to oppose the cuts. He told The Record: "Labour MPs have a choice to make. Do they believe that the most vulnerable people should be looked after, or not? That's what the vote on these welfare reforms ultimately boils down to. This vote will define careers and this Labour Government." There are 29 Scottish Labour MPs who have not signed the amendment, including those in the more right-wing faction the "Labour Growth Group". These include Blair McDougall, Johanna Baxter, Gordon McKee, Zubir Ahmed, and Melanie Ward. Labour committee chairs oppose the UK welfare reforms Ferguson, the MP for Glasgow West, is also chair of the Scottish Affairs Committee at Westminster. A further nine Labour select committee chairs have also signed the reasoned amendment, underlining the scale of the challenge facing the UK Government. These are: Tan Dhesi Helen Hayes Florence Eshalomi Ruth Cadbury Meg Hillier Ruth Jones Sarah Owen Debbie Abrahams Cat Smith Other senior Labour MPs to have signed the amendment include former transport secretary Louise Haigh. The Times reported that although the list does not include current ministers, as many as a dozen are said to be privately opposing the welfare reforms. All the Labour MPs opposing the UK welfare reforms Here is a full list of all the MPs to have signed the reasoned amendment against the UK Government's welfare changes:
BBC News
24-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
A quarter of Scottish Labour MPs join welfare rebellion
A quarter of Scottish Labour MPs have joined a rebellion against UK government's controversial welfare reforms. Nine out of the party's 37 parliamentarians, including the chair of the Scottish affairs committee, have signed an amendment that would potentially allow them to block controversial changes to the benefits are part of a group of more than 100 Labour MPs rebelling against Sir Keir Starmer's government. Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden said ministers were "happy to talk" to MPs with concerns, but defended the bill as "a really important package of benefit reform". The government's Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill aims to save £5bn a year by cutting disability and sickness-related includes proposals to make it harder for disabled people with less severe conditions to claim personal independence payments. The bill has been heavily criticised by some Labour MPs, while the Scottish government warned it would be "devastating" for disabled people. A total of 108 Labour MPs have signed an amendment that would give them an opportunity to vote on a proposal to reject the welfare reform bill in its amendment said the reforms are expected to push people into relative poverty and expressed concerns about a lack of consultation and an inadequate impact Scottish signatories include the chair of the Scottish affairs committee, Patricia Ferguson, and Brian Leishman, who has been outspoken critic of the government over benefits reform, cuts to winter fuel payments and the closure of the Grangemouth oil refinery in his constituency. Scottish Labour MPs Elaine Stewart, Tracy Gilbert, Scott Arthur, Euan Stainbank, Lillian Jones, Richard Baker and Kirsten Sullivan have also joined the rebellion. The UK government has warned that spending on health and disability benefits is forecast to reach £70bn a year by the end of the decade, describing that outlay as "unsustainable".According to the Labour administration's own impact assessment, its reforms could push an extra 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, into relative say that analysis does not consider the government's plans to spend £1bn on helping the long-term sick and disabled back into work, or its efforts to reduce vote on the bill is scheduled to take place next it passes, the government is aiming to introduce the welfare reforms by November 2026. No-one will lose out on benefits payments until that happens. UK government minister Pat McFadden said the number of people on long-term sickness and disability benefits was set to double in the coming years. "That is not something the government thinks it is right to sit back and be relaxed about," he told BBC Breakfast. The government has a working majority of 165 in the Commons, meaning that 83 Labour MPs would need to oppose the bill to force a parliamentary Westminster leader Stephen Flynn called on Labour ministers to withdraw the said: "It's now abundantly clear the prime minister has underestimated the huge scale of opposition to his grotesque Labour Party cuts to disabled people, which by their own estimation will push 250,000 children and disabled families into poverty, and will stain the Labour Party's reputation even worse than their winter fuel payment cuts."
