THE Scotland Office has, for some reason, decided that the best way to explain how the Barnett Formula works is by flinging chips about.
In a social media video Scotland Office minister Melanie Ward suggested that a “proper Scottish fish supper” is a “surprisingly simple way” to explain how public spending works.
The Labour MP for Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy then presents two boxes of fish and chips.
“This one represents equivalent public spending across the rest of the UK, because we pull and share resources across the UK, the Scottish Government's per person budget is over 20% larger,” she says, motioning to the first takeaway box.
“This piece is called the block grant, and it's the foundation of the Scottish Government's funding every year,” Ward says of the second.
“Decisions about spending for things like defence, foreign affairs, and pensions for the entire UK are reserved to the UK Government.
“But when the UK Government increases spending on devolved areas like health or education in England, that can mean more funding for Scotland too. That's the Barnett Formula.”
Ward then goes on to say: “It works out any additional funding for Scotland based on Scotland's share of the population whenever spending changes in devolved areas. Those additions are called Barnett consequentials.
“So, whenever spending goes up in England, the Scottish Government's budget can go up too, on top of that higher starting point.
Cod we take a moment of your time to set out how public spending works in Scotland? 🐟🍟 From the fiscal framework to the Barnett Formula - Minister for Scotland @melanie_ward explains!@hmtreasury pic.twitter.com/zx24yNZ4PL
— Scotland Office (@UKGovScotland) August 24, 2026
“It's then entirely up to the Scottish Government what that funding is spent on, whether that's health, education, transport, or other devolved priorities. What doesn't change is that Scotland's Budget is proportionally ahead of equivalent spending per person in the rest of the UK.”
Now, at The National we are all for making politics accessible. It’s part of what we do as journalists.
But after watching that video, with an understanding of how the Barnett Formula actually works, we were left with more questions than answers.
We also wondered: Where has this UK Government obsession with explaining political policy through the medium of foodstuffs come from?
Ward isn’t the first to do it. In December last year, Glasgow South Labour MP Gordon McKee racked up more than 3.3 million views on Twitter/X with a video where he explained the UKs debt to GDP ratio using stacks of custard creams and chocolate bourbons.
And who can forget Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey rating pub snacks?
These videos are supposed to feel relatable, but they end up coming off as patronising.
There is coming up with an idea that works once ... and then overdoing it so much that it loses its impact.
Do they really think grown adults can only understand economic concepts if you explain it to them like they're a child?
Or is it more likely that the only people paying attention are other Labour MPs and journalists who can pat each other on the back for their "innovative" social media use that really "cuts through" to the every man...
In response to Ward’s video, SNP MSP Karen Adam said: “This patronising guff shows exactly how Westminster treats Scotland, expecting us to be grateful for what we are entitled to.
“The same UK Labour Government that slashed funding for Scotland’s fishing industry decides to use a fish supper for this insulting video, you really couldn’t make it up.
“It’s no surprise that people in Scotland have had enough and voted for a record number of pro-independence MSPs in May’s election. It’s high time that the Labour Party wakes up to this reality and gives Scotland the right to decide its own future.”
Social media users were also unimpressed, branding the video “condescending”.
Maybe the Scotland Office should try doing some actual work for a change, rather than trying to sell voters a load of old cod.
