Burnham proposes abolishing the Barnett formula in bid to rebalance UK public spending

Andy Burnham advocates abolishing the Barnett formula, which tops up public spending for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Writing in his book Head North, the Greater Manchester mayor argues the formula leaves the north of England in a "pincer," squeezed between South East-favouring allocations and devolved-nation funding. BBC News reports some of Burnham's aides have played down changes amid Scottish political concerns.