HC Deb 05 November 1998 vol 318 cc675-6W
Dr. Cable

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate total public spending in real terms on mental health over the last 10 years. [57086]

Mr. Hutton

Mental health and mental ill health have a very wide impact and it is not possible to estimate total public expenditure.

Health expenditure taken from the Hospital and Community Health Services Programme Budget (at 1996–97 prices after allowing for Gross Domestic Product inflation) is shown in the following table:

£ million
Year Total spend on mental illness(inpatient, outpatient, day patient and community mental illness nursing)
1986–87 1,866
1987–88 2,051
1988–89 2,147
1989–90 2,179
1990–91 2,171
1991–92 2,163
1992–93 2,493
1993–94 2,597
1994–95 2,522
1995–96 2,589
1996–97 2,801

Note:

Figures are not comparable throughout the period shown due to a number of factors 1) the changes in the data collection systems 2) revised NHS accounting practices 3) a change in the allocation of general practitioner fundholder expenditure.

Overall Local Authority Expenditure on mental illness is shown in the table:

£ million
Year Overall amount (including the Mental Illness Specific Grant (MISG))
1991–92 203.11
1992–93 242.99
1993–94 304.50
1994–95 359.59
1995–96 418.50
1996–97 467.80
1997–98 65.59
(MISG only. Local authority expenditure not available)
1998–99 69.42
(MISG only. Local authority expenditure not available)

Note:

The above figures are shown at 1996–97 rates

Other specific funding since 1996/97 has been the Mental Health Challenge Fund, Emergency Pressures, Mentally Disordered Offenders Strategic Assistance Fund and the National Health Service Partnership Fund. Total expenditure is £64 million.

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