Wales would 'get more money under future Labour government'

Wales would receive more money from the Treasury under a Labour UK government, said the shadow Scottish secretary.

Margaret Curran said the Barnett formula - how the Treasury sets funding for the devolved nations - would not change.

But the pro-Union MP said Labour would recognise Wales' "claim to extra resources".

The Welsh government wants Barnett replaced by a system based on need, not population.

Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland's budgets are set in Whitehall, but the Welsh government claims it has been short changed by the formula.

'Strong case'

On BBC's Sunday Politics Wales, Ms Curran said: "Ed Miliband, the leader of the Labour Party, has been categorically clear about this and there will be no change to the Barnett formula in relation to Scotland.

"We do, in the Labour Party, recognise that there is a specific set of issues in relation to Wales because of convergence, and Wales has lost out because of that. We want to address the issue in relation to Wales."

When Mr Miliband visited Cardiff last week, he said the Barnett Formula had served the UK well and would continue to do so, however he added Wales had "a strong case" for more money and that must be addressed.

Glasgow East MP Ms Curran said Labour would be more specific about funding in its 2016 general election manifesto.

She also rejected comments from Deputy Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon that Scottish independence would give Wales a stronger bargaining position for funding from Westminster.

"That's a very curious logic because I do think that the Barnett formula is an inherent formula, it's part of the union and the way we relate to each other and the best way to protect that is to stay part of the union," Ms Curran said.

"It's one of the great ironies of politics that you've got separatists, nationalists, saying how best the rest of the union should work together.

"I think we've got an exciting future. It's one where we look for more powers, one where we think we can strengthen our nations and, at the same time, strengthen the union and I think that's a much more positive journey."

The Welsh government has been calling for reform of Treasury funding of the devolved nations since 2009 when its Holtham Commission said the Barnett formula deprived Wales of around £300m a year.

On 18 September, voters in Scotland will be asked whether Scotland should be an independent country.

Sunday Politics Wales, BBC One Wales, 11:00 BST and the BBC iPlayer