And it says regional grant distribution and a move to more specific grants are likely to favour urban councils.

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We are taking a lot of the specific grants that were spent on specific subjects and putting them into basic schools funding.

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Yet, Basques and Navarrese apart, nearly all their cash comes from the centre: on top of specific grants, 30% of the income tax collected in the region goes back to it.

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Ieuan Wyn Jones AM stressed the need for tougher steps when grants are misused and the introduction of specific requirements if the grant continues to be issued.

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