§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what his estimate is of the change in the NHS deflator measure of cost increases for each of the last 10 years; what the annual increase in the retail price index was for each year: and if he will make a statement. [10809]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 31 October 2001]: The table shows the national health service inflation index and the retail price index from 1991–92 to 2000–01.
Percentage Year NHS inflation index Retail prices index 1991–92 1— 4.0 1992–93 5.8 1.9 1993–94 2.7 2.2 1994–95 2.6 3.5 1995–96 3.7 2.7 1996–97 2.9 2.6 1997–98 2.1 3.6 1998–99 3.9 2.0 1999–2000 4.5 2.6 2000–01 1— 2.3 1Not available The table shows that the NHS deflator has risen by approximately 7 per cent. above the retail prices index, over the last decade. This is primarily because NHS pay has increased faster the RPI. This shows that NHS staff are receiving real terms pay increases.