HC Deb 03 November 1998 vol 318 cc459-60W
Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out for each year from 1992–93 to 1998–99 the(a) amount of RSG, (b) real value of RSG in April 1998 prices, (c) proportion of the RSG that reflects demographic and other volume changes and (d) proportion of RSG that accounts for new responsibilities. [57783]

Ms Armstrong

The following table sets out total Revenue Support Grant (RSG) paid to English local authorities between 1992–93 and 1998–99 in cash, and in real terms at 1998–99 values using the GDP deflator.

Revenue Support Grant (RSG)
£ million
Year RSG Cash RSG Real terms
1992–93 16,679 19,450
1993–94 17,052 19,371
1994–95 18,497 20,715
1995–96 18,314 19,931
1996–97 18,024 19,030
1997–98 18,675 19,217
1998–99 19,500 19,500

The total of all local authorities' Standard Spending Assessments (so-called "net Total Standard Spending", or "net TSS") is that portion of local authority expenditure which the Government wish to support through general grants such as Revenue Support Grant. In deciding net TSS, we take into account relevant demographic and other volume changes affecting local authority services, as well as new local authority responsibilities, the scope for efficiencies, and the amount the country as a whole can afford. Because the settlement represents our assessment of local government spending needs in the round, it is not possible to say how much has been included either for particular, or in total for, new responsibilities and other pressures.