§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how will the underspend in the NHS this year be allocated in the next financial year. [11069]
§ Mr. HuttonAny underspends by health authorities, primary care trusts and national health service trusts in 2001–02 will be added to their resource budgets in 2002–03.
§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what his latest estimate is of the level of underspending by the NHS in the last financial year. [11070]
§ Mr. HuttonThe provisional underspend for health and personal social services in 2000–01 is £692 million. This includes health authorities, primary care trusts and national health service trusts. Final figures for 2000–01 will not be available until the annual accounts have been completed.
Over one third of this sum was a planned contingency to meet costs falling in the current financial year. The total underspend has been carried forward and is being used on provision of health care in this financial year.