Milton Keynes and South Midlands Sub-regional Strategy

HC Deb 17 May 2004 vol 421 cc809-10W

Mr. Lidington

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on proposals for increased funding to growth areas in South-east England, as mentioned in paragraph 97 of the Cross-Government Statement (matters 1, 2, 3, 4) on the Milton Keynes and South Midlands Sub-Regional Strategy. [172171]

Mr. Hutton

The Department has given its backing to providing health service infrastructure to support the development of sustainable growth areas.

As announced to Parliament, on 15 March 2004 the Department has agreed to provide an extra £20 million, per annum, of revenue funding in 2004–05 and 2005–06 to be allocated to primary care trusts (PCTs) and £20 million of capital resources in 2005–06 to be allocated to strategic health authorities.

PCTs within the growth areas were notified of their additional 2004–05 at d 2005–06 revenue allocations on 25 March 2004.

The Department has also agreed to give priority to Office of the Deputy Prime Minister growth areas for future local improvement finance trust schemes and to include a growth area adjustment for ODPM growth areas in the next round of PCT allocations.