HC Deb 15 July 2002 vol 389 cc44-5W
Mr. Stevenson

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will announce the details of the new system of local government finance due to be introduced in the next financial year; and if he will make a statement. [66162]

Mr. Raynsford

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Gillingham (Paul Clark) on 8 July 2002,Official Report, columns 680–81W.

Mr. Sanders

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent representations he has received from unitary authorities in respect of changes to the standard spending assessment formula. [68888]

Mr. Leslie

We have received written representations from a number of unitary authorities recently, as well as discussing SSA-related issues with councils face-to-face on occasion. As my right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and the Regions announced to Parliament on 8 July, we are now in a period of formal consultation on options for the new grant distribution system. We will carefully consider all of the responses to the consultation before taking decisions.