HC Deb 06 May 1981 vol 4 c96W
23. Mr. Beith

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider including new factors for the rate support grant formula which would take account of differences in the cost of living between urban and rural areas.

Mr. Heseltine

The present formula makes some allowance for local authority cost differences in areas of both high and low population density and for labour cost differences in and around London. The possibility of further allowance for cost differences is presently the subject of consultations with the local authority associations.