HC Deb 06 June 1991 vol 192 cc315-6W
Mr. Alan Williams

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what provision his Department has made to each county council for social services in(a) 1991–92 and (b) the previous year.

Mr. Nicholas Bennett

Revenue support grant (RSG) for each county council in Wales is paid in support of services generally and is not hypothecated.

The level of total standard spending (TSS) allowed for in the local government finance settlement for 1990–91 and 1991–92 is given in the following table. Also shown are the notional amounts provided for personal social services; it is however for local authorities to determine how resources should be allocated to particular services.

Year Total Standard Spending £ million Personal Social Services £ million
1990–91 2,114.5 186.8
1991–92 2,433.1 224.0

Mr. Alan Williams

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what, at 1992 prices, was the total spending on health and personal social services in each year since 1978–79; what is the average percentage increase since May 1979; and what are the equivalent capital provisions within these annual figures.

Mr. Nicholas Bennett

The information, on the new planning total basis, is estimated to be as follows:

£ million at 1991–92 prices
Total net public expenditure on health and personal social services of which: Capital
1978–79 1,082 70
1979–80 1,085 62
1980–81 1,177 66
1981–82 1,225 80
1982–83 1,257 83
1983–84 1,274 84
1984–85 1,313 89
1985–86 1,327 85
1986–87 1,381 90

Total net public expenditure on health and personal social services of which: Capital
1987–88 1,456 88
1988–89 1,506 78
1989–90 1,537 101
1990–91 1,615 118

The percentage increase for total net spending between 1978–79 and 1990–91 was over 49 per cent. in real terms (about 275 per cent. in cash). During this period, the annual average percentage increase was a little over 4 per cent. in real terms (23 per cent. in cash).