While Assembly members congratulate each other on the transparency of their expenses system – despite the 108 different recommendations on what needs to be changed, another report is published which is likely to have far wider ranging effects on the public purse and how it gets divvied up.
The Independent Commission on Funding & Finance for Wales - a.k.a. the Holtham Commission - has published its first report entitled “Funding devolved government in Wales: Barnett & beyond”.
Overall, the report is unlikely to satisfy the opposing camps who see the present formula as a burden, a benefit or just a pig’s breakfast depending on their outlook and attitude towards the prospect of economic independence – although both will stoutly claim a victory of sorts.
But hearts will also sink among the anoraks at one of the recommendations which states that “the UK Government and the Assembly Government should jointly agree a new Ministerial concordat on the detailed funding arrangements for Wales” - especially after the minor savaging handed out today by members of the Welsh Select Committee over the "random thresholds" contained in the Welsh language LCO.
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