§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the level of spending by Scottish local authorities in each year since 1991–92; and if he will indicate the annual percentage change in real terms. [19823]
§ Mr. MacDonald[holding answer 9 December 1997]: The information requested is set out in the table: 75W
Year Non-housing net current expenditure (cash terms inclusive of specific grant) £ million Percentage change on previous year in real terms 1991–92 5,498 1992–93 5,974 4.27 1993–94 6,038 -1.78 1994–95 6,206 1.25 1995–96 6,593 3.39 1996–97 6,605 -2.51 1997–98 6,524 -3.82 Based on local authority reported final outturns for 1991–92 to 1995–96. Final expenditure figures are not yet available beyond 1995–96. Provisional outturn is given for 1996–97 and local authorities' budget estimates for 1997–98.
No adjustments have been made to take account of transfers of responsibility to and from local government and therefore the real terms percentage changes do not compare expenditure in the relevant years on a like-with-like basis.
§ Mr. GorrieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide figures showing the band D council tax increase in the next financial year for each local authority in Scotland(a) in cash terms and (b) in percentage terms, based on the assumption that all councils spend at the provisional capping limit. [22273]
§ Mr. MacdonaldOn average, the council tax in Scotland should rise by around 7 per cent. in 1998–99, on the assumption that councils spend at their provisional capping limits. The council tax increase for each council will depend on local circumstances and decisions, and it is not possible to make reliable estimates at the individual council level.