This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-30126907

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
David Cameron faces the Commons liaison committee David Cameron: Barnett formula reform 'not on horizon'
(35 minutes later)
David Cameron is appearing before the Liaison Committee of senior MPs, with questions set to include 'English votes for English laws'. David Cameron has said reform of the Barnett formula - used to set spending in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - "is not on the horizon".
The committee is made up of the MPs who chair Commons select committees. The PM appears before them three times a year. He told the Liaison Committee of senior MPs that as more tax powers were devolved to Scotland and Wales the formula's importance would decline.
Questions will focus on Mr Cameron's plans for devolution in the UK following the Scottish referendum vote. His appearance comes ahead of a Commons debate on whether to review Barnett.
The session, which began at 10:30 GMT, will also look at the case for a constitutional convention. Questions are focusing on Mr Cameron's plans for devolution in the UK following the Scottish referendum vote.
Mr Cameron told the committee the formula was not perfect but said there was no better alternative: "If you don't have the Barnett formula, you would have to have another formula."
All the main parties are committed to devolving further powers to Scotland but there is disagreement over the question of voting reform at Westminster.All the main parties are committed to devolving further powers to Scotland but there is disagreement over the question of voting reform at Westminster.
Mr Cameron says that further Scottish devolution should be linked to changes at Westminster to bring in 'English votes for English laws'.Mr Cameron says that further Scottish devolution should be linked to changes at Westminster to bring in 'English votes for English laws'.
Barnett formula Devolution within England
The Conservatives argue that it is unfair that Scottish MPs should help decide how things such as schools and the health service are run in England when English MPs have no such say over how they are run in Scotland.The Conservatives argue that it is unfair that Scottish MPs should help decide how things such as schools and the health service are run in England when English MPs have no such say over how they are run in Scotland.
Labour opposes the Tory plans, claiming they would create two classes of MPs. Instead Labour wants to see more devolution within England to regions and cities.Labour opposes the Tory plans, claiming they would create two classes of MPs. Instead Labour wants to see more devolution within England to regions and cities.
The Lib Dems favour both more devolution within England and a tweak to the Commons system to ensure that England's MPs have more of a say than other MPs over legislation that only covers England. The Lib Dems favour more devolution within England and a tweak to the Commons system to ensure that England's MPs have more of a say than other MPs over legislation that only covers England.
The Scottish National Party has warned that the Scottish people "would ensure" Westminster parties "would pay a heavy, heavy electoral price" if the promise, made during the referendum campaign, of more powers to Scotland were not delivered.The Scottish National Party has warned that the Scottish people "would ensure" Westminster parties "would pay a heavy, heavy electoral price" if the promise, made during the referendum campaign, of more powers to Scotland were not delivered.
UKIP supports 'English votes for English laws' and has called for a new constitutional settlement for the UK.UKIP supports 'English votes for English laws' and has called for a new constitutional settlement for the UK.
With no realistic prospect of agreement in this parliament, the main parties are expected to set out their rival proposals for reform at next year's general election.With no realistic prospect of agreement in this parliament, the main parties are expected to set out their rival proposals for reform at next year's general election.
The liaison committee will also question Mr Cameron over the Barnett formula - the mechanism for deciding levels of government spending in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Under the formula, spending per head in Scotland is higher than in England.
Mr Cameron faces a rebellion in parliament later as MPs vote on a motion to review the Barnett formula. Dozens of Tory rebels are expected to support the motion.