§ 34. Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how far the Government's public expenditure plans for the next three years take account of the growing numbers of elderly people in the total population of the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinWith regard to services for which I am responsible, the Government's expenditure plans for the National Health Service in England, as set out in Cmnd. 8175, allow for a real terms increase in gross spending of about 4.4 per cent. between 1980–81 and 1982–83, and this accommodates the rising costs associated with population changes, including the growing numbers of elderly people. The social security programme for Great Britain shows a steady increase in expenditure in real terms of about 7 per cent. between 1980–81 and 1983–4 on benefits for the elderly, mainly because of increased numbers qualifying for retirement pensions. It is up to local authorities to determine the level of expenditure on the personal social services in the light of local circumstances and priorities.