§ Mr. GoodladTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what criteria have been taken into account by the National Health Service resource allocation working party in assessing regional and district health needs; and if any changes are contemplated in future assessments.
§ Mr. NewtonThe resource allocation working party formula measures the relative needs of each region by taking account of: population (and the use made of health services by people of different age groups and sexes); morbidity as indicated by standardised mortality ratios; patient flows between regions; and higher staff costs in London and the south-east. Separate allocations are made to take account of the costs associated with medical teaching. The assessment of the relative needs of health districts is a matter for regions, who are expected to follow the same principles as the national formula, but to have regard also to local needs and circumstances.
The NHS management board's review of the national RAWP formula is exploring the scope for improving the way in which the formula measures relative need. The review's programme of analysis and research is now almost complete, and any recommendations which may emerge will then be carefully considered
Social Security Table 15.1 (1) (in constant 1986–87 prices) £ million 1982–83 outturn 1983–84 outturn 1984–85 outturn 1985–86 outturn 1986–87 outturn 1987–88 estimated outturn 1988–89 plans 1989–90 plans 1990–91 plans Contributory benefits (ie those paid from the National Insurance Fund) Pension benefits Retirement pension basic element 16,115 16,597 16,583 16,938 17,552 17,683 17,381(2) 17,700 18,000 earnings-related component 48 68 95 145 219 278 346 400 500 Christmas bonus 122 117 115 108 107 103 99 100 100 Widows' benefits, etc basic element 854 862 829 790 785 751 735 700 700 earnings-related component 11 17 28 34 40 49 62 100 100 Unemployment, incapacity and other benefits Unemployment benefit 1,789 1,707 1,724 1,637 1,734 1,480 1,359 1,200 1,200 Sickness benefit 661 302 305 284 179 159 153 100 100 Invalidity benefit basic element 1,837 2,059 2,231 2,289 2,480 2,616 2,649 2,800 2,900 earnings—related component 63 76 109 131 193 248 298 400 400 Death grant 20 19 19 19 18 0 0 — — Industrial injuries benefit