Want to keep up to date on Welsh politics? Sign up and get political news sent straight to your inbox Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has backed Plaid Cymru’s call for Wales to receive the same level of funding per head as Scotland.

The SNP leader endorsed Leanne Wood’s calls for a Welsh funding boost as she launched her party’s manifesto.

Public spending per head in Scotland in 2012-13 was £10,152 but in Wales it was £9,709 – with the English figure even lower at £8,529.

RELATED: What is the Barnett formula?

'Parity for Wales'

To applause, Ms Sturgeon said: “I do support Leanne Wood’s and Plaid Cymru’s call for parity for Wales. But not at the expense [of] Scotland because I do not accept that Scotland is subsidised and I will argue passionately against that notion for as long as I am in politics.”

Her comments came as David Cameron pledged that a future Conservative Government would make sure there are no “unforeseen detrimental consequences” as a result of Welsh and Scottish devolution for the rest of the country.

"Poll Tracker" We're testing a new site: This chart is coming soon

The Conservative leader was due to say: “Today I want to set out a new principle – you could call it the Carlisle Principle – that we will make sure that there are no unforeseen detrimental consequences to the rest of the country from Scottish devolution. For either England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

“Under a Conservative Government the Cabinet Office and Treasury will conduct an annual review of the impact of all devolved policies on the rest of the country. It will look at what effect Scottish Government policies are having: whether it’s changes to tax rates, business rates, or university tuition fees – or Scotland’s powers over energy, agriculture, transport, and public services.

“The Chancellor will report to Parliament each year, setting out the impacts, and what action is needed to make sure there is no detriment to the rest of the country...

“And, as and when there are further acts of devolution to Wales, they would be taken into account too.”

The SNP manifesto also supports giving Wales and each of the other UK nations a veto on the country leaving the EU.

The manifesto states: “If an in/out EU referendum does go ahead, we will seek to amend the legislation to ensure that no constituent part of the UK can be taken out of the EU against its will. We will propose a ‘double majority’ rule – meaning that unless England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each vote to leave the EU, the UK would remain a member state.”

Arguing that Wales has been hurt by the first past the post voting system, the manifesto states: “The electoral system means political focus is on the interests of a small number of swing voters in marginal seats, and that has meant the economic and social needs of areas like the north of England, Scotland, the West Midlands and Wales have been forgotten.”

Pressing for the UK’s nations and regions to receive a proportion of the cash spent on London-based projects, the manifesto states: “We believe that investment in so-called ‘national’ projects in London, should be subject to normal consequential funding for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and that the North of England, in particular, should see a significant increase in infrastructure expenditure.”

RELATED: Plaid 'could vote down future Labour Queen's Speech', says leader Leanne Wood

£400 for each man, woman and child

Plaid’s Ms Wood said: “I am very pleased to hear Nicola Sturgeon supporting Plaid Cymru’s key commitment to securing parity with Scotland for Wales. Just as the SNP is doing for Scotland, Plaid Cymru is fighting for the best deal possible for Wales in this election.

“Parity of funding with Scotland would see Wales receiving an extra £1.2bn a year – £400 for each man, woman and child. Plaid Cymru would prioritise spending this money on our vital public services in order to strengthen our Welsh Health Service and ensure that our children get the best education possible.

“I look forward to Plaid and SNP MPs continuing to work together in Westminster after May 7 in order to fight for policies that will benefit not only the people of Wales and Scotland but the people of the UK as a whole.”

RELATED: Five reasons everyone in Wales should absolutely, positively cast a vote

Former Plaid Caernarfon MP Dafydd Wigley said: “Nicola and Leanne get on very well indeed and the SNP recognise the unfairness Wales has suffered. Obviously, their first responsibility is to do things for the people of Scotland but to the extent she was making it clear that she will be looking beyond Scotland as well to matters relevant to the rest of the United Kingdom then this is certainly one of the things she’s aware of and I’m sure she’ll do everything she can to help, and her colleagues in Westminster would.”