HC Deb 21 January 1991 vol 184 c86W
Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of local authority expenditure(a) as a whole and (b) on housing is (i) paid for by central Government and (ii) paid for by local government.

Mr. Key

In 1990–91 central Government support far local authorities (including that from the non-domestic ratepayer and credit approvals) is estimated to be 80 per cent. and self financed expenditure (less debt interest payment) is estimated to be 20 per cent. of the local authority component of general Government expenditure (less debt interest payment) in England.

The Government's planned resource provision for local authority capital spending on housing in England in 1991–92 is £1.9 billion. This represents about 64 per cent. of the capital expenditure which local authorities could finance from a combination of this provision and their own resources. Local authorities also receive subsidy to cover the shortfall assumed to arise in their housing revenue account if they adhere to the Government's rent and management and maintenance guidelines. Provision of £3.5 billion has been made for this purpose on 1991–92, which represents about 44 per cent. of local authorities housing revenue account expenditure. The balance is financed by income from rents.