§ Mr. PickthallTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will redistribute the money made available under the area cost adjustment scheme to south-east authorities outside London in a manner which would treat all local authorities equally; and what sums would be made available to other authorities by such redistribution.
§ Mr. Robin SquireThe area cost adjustment within standard spending assessments reflects the additional 403W employment costs faced by authorities in London and the south-east in providing the services for which they are responsible at a standard level. There are no plans to remove this adjustment for authorities in the south-east but we are always willing to consider any evidence brought forward.
If the money made available under the area cost adjustment to south-east authorities outside London were to be redistributed to all authorities outside London the sum available would be £15 per adult.