HC Deb 28 April 1986 vol 96 cc323-4W
Mr. Orme

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the saving to the Exchequer from the reduction of grant percentage (settlement) from 61 per cent. in 1980–81 to 48.7 per cent. in 1985–86.

Mrs. Rumbold

The level of aggregate exchequer grant is determined each year in relation to estimated local authority relevant expenditure and it is not possible to know what local authorities would have spent if a different proportion of relevant expenditure were met by grant. However, if grant were paid at 61 per cent. of the estimated relevant expenditure as set out in each of the rate support grant settlement reports from 1980–81, then the total available would be £8.25 billion more than shown in those reports.