Standard Spending Assessments

HC Deb 09 February 1993 vol 218 cc545-6W

Mr. Gapes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the impact on the future standard spending assessments of local authorities of projections of future population structures.

Mr. Robin Squire

Standard spending assessments are calculated using the latest information available compiled on a consistent basis for all relevant authorities. For 1993–94 the assessments are based in part on estimates of population size and age structure relating to 30 June 1991 prepared by the Registrar General. Projections of population size and age structure for each local authority relating to a more recent period are not available on an equivalent basis and it is not possible, therefore, to assess their impact on future assessments. However, trends in population size and structure at the national level are taken into account with many other factors in determining the level of spending which the Government consider is appropriate for all authorities to incur in any one year.