§ Mr. Heathcoat-Amory:To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the standard spending assessment per capita is for each of the English regions in 2003–04. [140896]
§ Mr. Raynsford:Standard Spending Assessments ceased in 2002–03, and were replaced in 2003–04 by Formula Spending Shares (FSS). The following table gives the 2003–04 FSS per head for each of the English regions.
Government Office Region 2003–04 FSS (£ million) Mid-2001 population estimate 2003–04 FSS per head (£ per head) South West 5,160.341 4,934,162 1,045.84 South East 8,455.974 8,006,896 1,056.09 London 10,552.423 7,188,006 1,468.06 Eastern 5,824.133 5,394,860 1,079.57 East Midlands 4,523.400 4,175,081 1,083.43 West Midlands 6,221.599 5,267,098 1,181.22 Yorkshire and Humber 5,831.658 4,967,165 1,174.04 North East 3,087.869 2,516,531 1,277.03 North West 8,250.982 6,731,540 1,255.72 Please note that the mid-2001 population estimate used was that published by the Office for National Statistics on 10 October 2002, since these were the population estimates used in the calculation of the 2003–04 Formula Spending Shares. Following the approval by Parliament of the 2003–04 Local Government Finance Settlement, the mid-2001 population estimates were revised. An Amending Report for 2003–04 to reflect the revised mid-year estimates will be submitted to the House for approval in due course.
§ Mr. Hayes:To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many equity release loans local authorities have granted (a) in each of the last 10 years and (b) since 18 July 2002. [141013]
§ Keith Hill:The Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002 gave local authorities wide discretionary powers to provide assistance to homeowners and tenants to repair, improve and adapt their homes—including, for example, equity release loans—from 18 July 2002. This is subject to the authority having a policy in place setting out how it intends to use the powers. Prior to that date, local authorities had no powers to make such loans.
Figures on the number of equity release loans and other forms of assistance given by local authorities for renewal of private sector homes in the financial year 2002—03 will be available early in 2004.