Former Heywood MP Lord Joel Barnett dies

Former Heywood and Royton MP the Right Honourable Lord Joel Barnett awarded Freedom of the Borough of Rochdale

The Right Honourable Lord Joel Barnett, former Heywood and Royton MP, has died at the age of 91.

Lord Barnett, who was awarded the Freedom of Rochdale Borough in April this year, died peacefully at home on Saturday (1 November) morning after a short illness.

He was most famous for devising the formula that sets public spending in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Barnett formula was put in place when Lord Barnett was Chief Secretary to the Treasury in the late 1970s.

The formula was intended to be a temporary fix but it has continued to be used and in recent years, Lord Barnett has stated that the system was “unfair” and “needed reform.”

Born on 14 October, 1923 Lord Barnett worked as an accountant before being elected onto Prestwich Borough Council. He was elected Member of Parliament for Heywood and Royton in 1964 and served as Chief Secretary to the Treasury from 1974 to 1979, gaining a seat in cabinet from 1977 onwards in Callaghan Government.

He also acted as the shadow spokesperson for business, innovation and skills from 1970 to 1974.

In 1983 he was made a life peer as Baron Barnett of Heywood and Royton.

Leader of Rochdale Council, Councillor Richard Farnell, said: “Joe was a formidable politician of great ability and a powerful force in the Wilson and Callaghan Governments.

“But in addition to playing key roles in the national stage he was an outstanding constituency MP and highly respected. I am really pleased that this year we were able to recognise this by awarding him the Freedom of the Borough, the highest honour, as a mark of gratitude for his work.”

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk said: "It's really sad news to hear that Lord Barnett has passed away. He was a great MP for Heywood and Royton and was a lovely man. He will be sorely missed."

Liz McInnes, MP for Heywood and Middleton said: “I was saddened to hear of the passing of Lord Barnett and was well aware of him as a predecessor in the then constituency of Heywood and Royton. He will be remembered with great affection and respect and my sympathies go out to his friends and family. May he rest in peace.”