§ Mr. Leightonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the level of rate support grant paid to the London borough of Newham 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 66.091 1979–80 62.756 1980–81 60.685 1981–82 60.259 1982–83 70.118 1983–84 68.851 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, and resources elements, and receipts under the London rate equalisation scheme and are revalued to 1981–82 settlement prices. The 1978–79 and 1979–80 figures are final entitlements and that for 1980–81 covers payments made to date. The figures for 1981–82 onwards represent block grant after holdback and are in cash terms. The 1981–82 figure includes grant paid in respect of the GLC and Metropolitan police; the new grant system had the effect of increasing the amount of grant remaining in boroughs that had qualified for resources element, but this was offset by an increase in the size of the precepts. The 388W 1982–83 figure includes grant paid in respect of the Metropolitan police; grant was paid direct to the GLC in that year.