§ 28. Derek TwiggTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the impact the Budget will have on reducing health inequalities over the next five to 10 years.[53570]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithKey measures in Budget 2002 that will contribute to meeting the Government's targets on health inequalities are
new child tax credit (CTC), which is a single, seamless system of support for families with children. From April 2003 CTC will combine with child benefit to deliver up to £54.25 a week in support for the first child, compared to support of £27.70 a week in April.341Wspecific help for people with disabilities (including long-standing illnesses) looking for work: the new deal for disabled people has now been extended nationally, and the rates and thresholds of the working tax credit will, from April 2003, improve the in-work financial support available specifically for disabled people.extra resources announced in Budget 2002 for the NHS—average growth in NHS spending of 7.4 per cent. after inflation over the five years from 2003–04 to 2007–08—will enable the NHS to play its full role in meeting the existing national targets for tackling health inequalities.