§ Mr. LansleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress he has made with the Programme Budgeting Project; and if he will make a statement. [175315]
§ Mr. HuttonDuring 2003, three pilot site primary care trusts (PCTs) tested the programme budgeting methodology agreed with the National Audit Office, Her Majesty's Treasury, the Audit Commission and the national health service. This has led to the development of detailed guidance issued to the NHS in December 2003.
From financial year 2003–04 onwards, PCTs and strategic health authorities will report within their annual accounts the totality of their expenditure on a programme basis each year.