§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current cost of implementing the Children Act 1989.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyCentral Government do not specify in detail how local authorities should allocate the overall resources available to them but rather indicate their view of appropriate spending through standard spending control totals. For the first full year of the Children Act in 1992–93, standard spending for children in England will be £1,654 million—over 27 per cent. higher than in 1990–91 or up nearly 14 per cent. in real terms. This includes the full revenue consequences of the £5.7 million new guardian ad litem specific grant for 1992–93.