§ Mr. HammondTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of UK GDP his Department expects will be devoted to total health spending in the fiscal year 2004–05. [146960]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithIn last year's Spending Review, the Chancellor provided for a significant increase in UK health expenditure for the years up to 2003–04. Based on the current GDP forecast, total health spending could therefore reach around 7.6 per cent. of GDP in 2003–04.
As the public spending plans for 2004–05 will not be announced until nearer the time, in the normal way, it is not yet possible to provide a figure for total health care in 2004–05.