§ Mr. BettsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will consider using information on the level of unemployment and the level of long-term unemployment as part of the standard spending assessments for 1994–95.
§ Mr. BaldryThe review of standard spending assessments for 1994–95 will include the consideration of a range of indicators in SSAs including where appropriate alternative measures of unemployment.
§ Mr. BettsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to ensure that the review of standard spending assessments is fundamental and considers all alterations including reducing disparities between authorities within the same category.
§ Mr. BaldryWe are undertaking a review of standard spending assessments to incorporate information from the 1991 census into the underlying SSA formulae. We are also taking this opportunity to consider more widely the range of social factors used within SSAs and the weight placed upon them. We also wish to reconsider the area cost adjustment, measures of density and sparsity arid the inclusion of day visitors.
§ Mr. BettsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangement he has agreed for the review of standard spending assessments.
§ Mr. BaldryWe have invited each local authority in England to make representations to us on the review of standard spending assessments and to provide evidence to support any changes. My officials are meeting regularly with representatives of the local authority associations to discuss technical aspects of the review.
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§ Mr. BettsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what timetable he has drawn up for the review of standard spending assessments, including when the consultation period will be completed.
§ Mr. BaldryOur review of standard spending assessments will be completed in time for any changes to be incorporated in SSAs for 1994–95. We shall consult in the usual way on our proposals for the revenue support grant settlement for 1994–95, including SSAs, in the late autumn.
§ Mr. BettsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultation he has had to date at member and officer level with local authority associations about the review of standard spending assessments; and what further consultation he expects to have in the future.
§ Mr. BaldryMy right hon. Friend will meet representatives of the local authority associations at the Consultative Council on Local Government Finance later this month and again in October. The results of the SSA review will be discussed at the October meeting.
My officials have regular meetings with officers from the local authority associations in the SSA subgroup, which is the main forum for discussion of SSA data and methodology issues. The SSA subgroup has met six times so far this year and there will be at least three more meetings before the subgroup reports to the settlement working group in September.
We shall consult in the usual way on our proposals for the revenue support grant settlement for 1994–95, including SSAs, in the late autumn.
§ Mr. BettsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to change from using the 1981 to the 1991 census data in calculating standard spending assessments.
§ Mr. BaldryIt is our policy to use the most up-to-date information available within SSAs. Population estimates based on the 1991 census were incorporated into SSAs for 1993–94 and it is intended to make use of the remaining information now available from the 1991 census for 1994–95 SSAs.