HC Deb 22 February 1982 vol 18 cc310-1W
Mr. Alton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what have been the allocations of rate support grant and housing revenue account funding for the city of Liverpool for the years 1979–80, 1980–81 and 1981–82; and what is the projected figure for 1982–83.

Mr. King

Estimated rate support grant entitlement for the city of Liverpool is as follows:

£ million
1979–80 114.2
1980–81 141.2
1981–82 126.8
1982–83 *124.7
*Grant, if spend at target.

On the introduction of block grant in 1981–82, RSG was for the first time paid to Merseyside county council as well as to the city of Liverpool. It is thus misleading to compare figures for payments to the city of Liverpool and before 1981-82 with figures for subsequent years.

The city of Liverpool housing subsidy claims show support to housing—including Exchequer subsidy and rate fund contributions to the housing revenue account, and to direct rent rebates and allowances—totalling:

£ million
1979–80 24.0
1980–81 29.9
*1981–82 21.7
*Provisional estimate.

Substantial additional support was given through indirect rent rebates and allowances to those on supplementary benefit: the totals were:

£ million
1979–80 7.2
1980–81 7.7

A figure is not available for 1981–82, but the rising trend could be expected to continue. Figures for entitlement in 1982–83 are not readily available.