HC Deb 14 July 1987 vol 119 c422W
Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the current and capital expenditure per head on housing in England during the last year for which figures are available.

Mr. Waldegrave

Current expenditure by English local authorities and new towns on their housing revenue accounts in 1986–87, including debt charges, represented on average £124 per head of population. Capital expenditure by local authorities, new towns, the Housing Corporation and central Government in England represented on average £71 per head of population.

Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total public expenditure on housing in the United Kingdom as a proportion of the gross domestic product in each year since 1977 to the last year for which figures are available.

Mr. Waldegrave

Total public expenditure on housing in the United Kingdom from 1977 to 1985 is shown in the table as a percentage of gross domestic product at factor cost. The definition is the same as in the answer given to the hon. Member on 23 May 1986, at columns 370–71, and on 2 April 1987, at columns 606–7. The figures for public expenditure on housing are taken from the annual national income accounts, which are usually published in September of each year. 1986 figures are, therefore, not yet available.

Public Expenditure on Housing as percentage of gross domestic product at factor cost
per cent.
1977 3.1
1978 3.3
1979 3.4
1980 3.5
1981 1.6
1982 2.6
11983 2.9
1984 3.0
1985 2.5
1 Discontinuity between 1982 and 1983 is due to introduction of housing benefit and consequent exclusion of rent from supplementary benefit paid to tenants.