Kirsty Williams calls for better funding for Wales

The Western Mail reports that the Welsh Liberal Democrats, in their evidence to the Silk Commission, has called for tax-varying powers for the Welsh Government and (of course) for a replacement for the Barnett Formula. The report does not go into great detail, but I trust that we are also calling for councils to retain NNDR (business rates), a guaranteed revenue support safety net and enabling an Empty Homes Premium. These are all measures which are included in the Local Government Finance Bill which has been introduced in Westminster and which covers only English local authorities. It is fair to say that the Local Government Association believes that the Bill does not go far enough. Perhaps we can get a better deal for Welsh councils than English equivalents are to be granted.