§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what factors were taken into consideration in deciding the level of central grant allocation for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service for 2001–2; and if he will make a statement. [149627]
§ Ms Beverley HughesGloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service do not receive revenue support grant. A grant is allocated to Gloucestershire county council which provides necessary funding for the Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service.
The Government allocate grant through Standard Spending Assessments (SSAs). The following indicators are used to determine the fire block of the SSA:
- Resident population
- Fire calls;
- Population density;
- A Risk areas;
- Coastline;
- Fire safety enforcement;
- Fire safety education; and
- Fire pensions.
With the exception of the fire safety and pensions indicators the weightings are based upon expenditure of fire authorities in 1990–91.
An area cost adjustment is applied, where appropriate, to reflect difference s in the cost of providing fire services in London, the rest of the South East and the remainder of the country.