HC Deb 14 November 1988 vol 140 cc472-3W
Mr. Ralph Howell

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will state the total National Heath Service budget for 1970, 1979, 1984 and 1988 and the percentage change relative to the gross domestic product and public expenditure for each of those years;

(2) if he will state the amount spent on the National Health Service as a percentage of public expenditure and gross domestic product for 1976, 1979, 1984 and 1988, respectively.

Mr. Mellor

The following table shows United Kingdom gross expenditure on the National Health Service (ie the preferred measure of total resource used by the service) in money terms and as a percentage of GDP for the years requested. It also shows the yearly growth in gross expenditure on the National Health Service and of money GDP for the same years.

Year £ million Percentage change over previous year Percentage expenditure planning total2 Percentage change in planning total over previous year
1984–85 16,675 7.2 12.6 8.6
1988–894 22,942 10.8 14.2 3.9
1 Average measure of GDP, at market prices.
2 Source: Table 5.1 Cm 288-I—The Government's Expenditure Plans 1988–89 to 1990–91—excluding privatisation proceeds.
3 Figures derived from United Kingdom national accounts and not directly comparable with figures for later years which come from Department of Health statistics.
4 Estimated.

Mr. Ralph Howell

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will state the average cost of the National Health Service per person and per average family for 1970, 1979, 1984 and 1988, respectively;

(2) if he will state the amount spent per head on the National Health Service for 1970, 1979, 1984 and 1988, respectively.

Mr. Mellor

The information available is as follows:

Gross NHS expenditure (United Kingdom)
per capita (£) per family of four (£)
1970–71 38 152
1979–80 169 676
1984–85 305 1,220
1988–891 418 1,672
1 Estimated

Source: Department of Health and OPCS Statistics.

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