HC Deb 09 February 1984 vol 53 c763W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland by how much the number of all local government officials has risen or fallen since 1979; and by how much, taking account of inflation, aggregate local government spending has risen in money and percentage terms.

Mr. Ancram

After allowing for the previous under-recording of certain categories by a number of authorities, there were, in September 1983, approximately 6,400 (or 2.5 per cent.) fewer employees (that is full-time equivalents) in Scottish local authorities than in June 1979. The Scottish local authorities' budget estimates for expenditure relevant for rate support grant (excluding loan charges) for 1983–84 after certain technical adjustments were £296.1 million (12.5 per cent.) above their expenditure in 1979–80, both figures expressed at 1982–83 prices using the GDP deflator. The GDP deflator measures the general rate of inflation in the economy.

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