§ 35. Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has calculated the effect of the recently announced increase in employers' national insurance contributions on the cost of local government services.
§ Mr. ShoreThe increased cost to the rate fund in respect of local authority employees in England and Wales is expected to be about £56 million in 1978–79—about £113 million in a full year. This will be eligible for rate support grant and my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary has already given assurances about adjusting the cash limit to accommodate this increase.