§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the direct and indirect effect on local authority expenditure on services of each increase of 100,000 in unemployment; and what proportion of the increase in expenditure is borne by central Government.
§ Mr. KeyThere is no evidence of a direct link between levels of unemployment and local authority expenditure. It is for each authority to decide its spending priorities across the range of its services according to the circumstances of its area. Central Government support, which this year amounts to about 85 per cent. of total standard spending, should enable all authorities to provide a standard level of service, taking into account their individual circumstances.