HC Deb 24 July 1979 vol 971 c221W
Mr. Marlow

asked the Secretary of State for Environment what additional support will be given to Northamptonshire if its outgoings are increased and its income reduced by British Steel Corporation closures at Corby; and in what way the needs element of the rate support grant will automatically compensate.

Mr. King

When BSC has decided whether or not to close iron and steel making at Corby the Government will decide whether any special measures are needed to help the area. The needs element of rate support grant is distributed in accordance with a formula of general application and cannot reflect directly changes in the circumstances of individual authorities. The resources element automatically compensates for reductions in rateable value, except in the relatively few authorities with a rateable value per head in excess of the national standard.