§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the level of rate support grant paid to the London borough of Brent in the current year; and how this compares in real terms with each preceding year back to 1979.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe figures are as follows:
£ million 1978–79 68.982 1979–80 65.724 1980–81 62.078 1981–82 51.777 1982–83 60.134 1983–84 51.760 The rate support grant arrangements changed in 1981–82, and the figures for earlier years are not comparable with those for 1981–82 onwards. The figures for 1978–79, 1979–80 and 1980–81 include needs element —the borough did not qualify for resources element— and payments under the London rate equalisation scheme, and are revalued to 1981–82 settlement prices. The 1978–79 and 1979–80 figures are final; those for 1980–81 onwards cover payments made to date. The figures for 1981–82 onwards include block grant, after holdback, and are in cash terms. The 1981–82 figure includes grant paid in respect of the GLC, ILEA and Metropolitan Police. The 1982–83 figure includes grant paid in respect of the Metropolitan Police; grant was paid direct to the GLC and ILEA in that year. If Brent had spent at the level of its expenditure target in 1982–83 and in 1983–84 it would have received £65.481 million and £60.449 million grant respectively.