§ 43. Mr. PageTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the change in spending on the National Health Service in 1976–77; and what was the change in the latest available year.
§ Mr. FreemanIn 1976–77 gross spending on the NHS in England rose by £638 million; an increase of about 1 per cent. in real terms. In 1989–90 gross spending is planned to increase by £1,685 million compared with estimated outturn in 1988–89. In addition health authorities will retain savings of nearly £300 million from a reduction in the employers' superannuation contributions. New cost improvements are expected to provide around a further £150 million. Taken together the additional resources available to the NHS in 1989–90 will be equivalent to a real terms increase of more than 5 per cent. over 1988–89.