§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the latest forecasts are of the(a) underspending or ovespending for the present financial year, (b) funding pressures which impact on the 2002–03 planning round and (c) deficits in the local health economy in each health authority in London submitted to the London regional office.
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 31 January 2002]: By the end of this financial year we expect all health authorities to live within their agreed resource limits. Where they require support at year-end, this will be provided principally through brokerage from elsewhere in the national health service. This is normal practice in managing the year end financial position of individual bodies and for the NHS overall.
The London regional office is in discussions with health authorities and trusts about managing their 2001–02 year-end positions. The London region forecasts financial balance.
Information on 2002–03 is not available.