§ Mrs. ShephardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what criteria determined the shift of resources in standard spending assessments from shire areas to metropolitan areas in the current financial year. [47573]
§ Ms ArmstrongThe standard spending assessments of the shire areas increased by £662.7m in 1998–99 (on a like for like basis); those of the metropolitan areas increased by £ 386.9m. The criteria used in the calculation of standard spending assessments are based on objective indicators and the most up-to-date information available is used for all authorities. The same formulae apply to all authorities with the same responsibilities for services. We treat authorities all on a fair and consistent basis.