§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what factors underlay the reduction in the personal social services standard spending assessment for Buckinghamshire county council between 1996–97 and 1997–98. [10681]
§ Mr. BurnsThe use of more recent data in the indicators used to calculate the standard spending assessment was the primary cause of a very small reduction in the funding for personal social services in Buckinghamshire county council between 1996–97 and 1997–98. The revised area cost adjustment formula was the main factor. However, the total combined resources provided for social services in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes increased by £4,748 million from funding provided in 1996–97.