§ 131. Mr. Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is Southend health authority's budget for health care; what is the average for other health authorities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanThe initial revenue allocation to Southend health authority for 1989–90 was £57,555,200. The district's gross revenue expenditure rose by over 66 per cent. in cash terms between 1982–83 and 1988–89, equivalent to 23 per cent. in real terms. Financial allocations to district health authorities are decided by regional health authorities. Overall, resources for the National Health Service have risen by £2.5 billion this year. Next year they will rise by nearly £3 billion more. That is a 20 per cent. cash increase in two years, bringing the total spending on the Health Service up to £29.1 billion for 1990–91. This includes £19 billion for hospital arid community health services throughout the United Kingdom—some £15.2 billion in England alone.