§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding to NHS trusts has been allocated this year for(a) essential repairs to hospital buildings and (b) ensuring that fire and safety regulations are met. [100508]
§ Mr. HuttonNational health service trusts and primary care trusts (PCTs) receive operational capital to maintain the asset base of the organisation. NHS trusts and PCTs decide how to spend their operational capital on the competing priorities they have for investment. These priorities will include fire and health and safety compliance work and other capital investment, such as the replacement of equipment.
£767 million was allocated as operational capital in 2002–03. The recently announced three-year capital allocations provide £844 million for operational capital in 2003–04, £928 million for 2004–05 and £1,021 million for 2005–06.
In addition, a proportion of both the strategic health authorities' strategic capital and the investment secured through the private finance initiative will go towards meeting fire and health and safety compliance.