§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the real reduction in NHS expenditure for(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99, excluding allocations from the reserve, consequential on the higher GDP deflator announced in the Budget. [8141]
15W
§ Mr. Darling[holding answer 11 July 1997]: On the basis of the inflation forecast published in the Budget, the expenditure plans set by the last Government for the NHS provided for real-terms growth across the UK of 0.8 per cent. in 1997–98 and a real-terms fall of 0.5 per cent. in 1998–99. However, the additional sums allocated to the NHS in the Budget will result in a real increase of 21/4 per cent. next year.