Thinking about need: Public spending on the regions

MacKay R. R. and Williams J. (2005) Thinking about need: public spending on the regions, Regional Studies 39 , 815-828. The UK Treasury accepts that need is the correct guide to spending on public services in different parts of the UK. But the formula used to decide changes in devolved spending in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland depends on the population: it does not compensate for differences in need. With devolved spending determined by need, there would be consistency across 11 of the 12 UK regions. London would be the sole exception. The heavy cost of the capital's public services is part of the argument for a more even distribution of income, wealth and employment.