§ Lord Sheppard of Didgemereasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether in considering any reallocation of resources within the United Kingdom, they will take into account the need for increased investment in London's transport and education to maintain and enhance its international competitiveness so that it can continue to generate wealth for the benefit of the United Kingdom as a whole. [HL2041]
§ Lord WhittyThe Government are aware of the valuable role that London provides in generating income for the United Kingdom. Since taking office we have significantly increased the provision for spending on transport and education. London has benefited from this extra money. It has seen provision for spending on education increase by £640 per pupil in real terms over the last four years and further increases are built into the forward spending plans. The 10 Year Plan for transport allocates £3.2 billion for grant for transport in London for the period 2001–02 to 2003–04, broadly a doubling compared with previous plans. The plan delivers a total of £25 billion of public and private investment for London over 10 years.
London has therefore done well from our spending reviews. The allocation of resources for the three years from 2003–04 will be considered in the Spending Review 2002.