HC Deb 22 October 2003 vol 411 c565W
9 Helen Jackson

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the future financing of local government administration. [133441]

Phil Hope

In April this year, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister launched a review into the current balance of funding for local government. The review has recently completed a period of extensive consultation, and we are now considering a range of options.

Local government has received a record 25 per cent. increase in Government grant in real terms since we took office in 1997—compared with a real terms cut of 7 per cent. under the last four years of the party opposite's time in office.