§ Mr. WattsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make254W a statement on the progress that his Department has made on its review of the local government standard spending assessment system. [104817]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe review of revenue grant distribution is well under way. Central and local government officials are jointly discussing a wide range of options for improving the method of distribution, and many councils have contributed their proposals. We have conducted an extensive survey of the opinions of members and officers and undertaken research into overseas distribution systems.
Decisions about the merits of the various options for reform will not be taken until we have consulted widely this summer.