§ Mr. Norman Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will restructure the block grant formula in such a way as to include within the grant-related expenditure assessment a sum to cover fully such retirement pensioner travel concessions as are granted by local authorities within agreed limits and which would not incur penalties for overspending; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. KingAuthorities' grant-related expenditure assessments currently include an amount for concessionary fare schemes for the elderly which is proportional to the numbers of elderly people in their areas. These amounts are limited overall to the provision for these schemes in the Government's expenditure plans. It is for local authorities to determine their own expenditure priorities. It would not be appropriate to seek to influence their determinations by giving such schemes a special position in relation to authorities' overall expenditure targets.