§ Miss KirkbrideTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) if he will take steps to rectify the disparity in total external support to local authorities covering the Bromsgrove area in the local government White Paper; [54801]
(2) what steps he is taking to ensure that the new grant formula that will replace standard spending assessment will be (a) fairer, (b) simpler and (c) will address the needs of each classes of authority. [54798]
§ Dr. WhiteheadWe are working to develop options for fairer and more intelligible grant distribution formulae. We will consult on options over the summer and will consider the responses when we come to take decisions.