HC Deb 12 November 1997 vol 300 cc598-9W
Mr. Harvey

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average total underspend in English national health service trusts in each year since 1992 for which figures are available. [15384]

Mr. Sanders

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the average deficit of(a) health authorities and (b) national health service trusts in England in each year since 1979 for which figures are available; [15387]

(2) if he will list the average distance from spending target of NHS trusts in England in each year since 1992 for which figures are available. [15471]

Mr. Milburn

Details of the total and average income and expenditure surpluses/deficits for health authorities and National Health Service trusts in England since 1991–92 are given in the table. Figures for earlier years will be placed in the Library shortly.

The distance from spending target and underspend in NHS trusts have been interpreted as the income and expenditure position since NHS trusts are not set spending targets as such but receive income through contracts for healthcare provision to cover their expenditure.

£million
Year Total surplus/(deficit) Average surplus/(deficit)
Health authorities
1991–92 174.7 0.9
1992–93 76.4 0.4
1993–94 48.9 0.3
1994–95 (53.5) (0.4)
1995–96 (202.4) (1.8)
1996–97 (238.2) (2.4)
Trusts
1991–92 46.1 0.8
1992–93 88.4 0.6
£ million
Year Total surplus/(deficit) Average surplus/(deficit)
1993–94 185.6 0.6
1994–95 178.7 0.4
1995–96 46.1 0.1
1996–97 (50.5) (0.1)

The 1996–97 health authority figure is for merged health authorities (previously separate district health authorities and family health service authorities).

Changes in accounting policies mean that not all years accounts are prepared on a comparable basis.