House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 10 Feb 2003 (pt 22)

10 Feb 2003 : Column 572W—continued

Venezuela

Mr. Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make a statement on the unrest in Venezuela; [96550]

Mr. Rammell: We are following developments closely. In our regular contacts with the government and opposition we have stressed the importance of respect for the constitution and democratic principles, and supported the efforts of the Organisation of American States (OAS) to resolve the crisis.

We welcome the recent easing of tension and resumption of economic activity. Venezuelan ports closed since the beginning of December have reopened.

Zimbabwe

Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment the Government have made of the impact that illegal immigrants crossing the border from Zimbabwe may have upon (a) the economy and (b) HIV/AIDS levels in Botswana; and if he will make a statement. [96298]

Mr. Straw: Formal assessment of impact is a matter for the Government of Botswana. But we know that illegal immigration from Zimbabwe is placing an increasing strain on government services in Botswana.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Transport and Social Exclusion Report

Mr. Todd: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the Social Exclusion Unit will publish its report on Transport and Social Exclusion; and if he will make a statement. [93832]

Mrs. Roche: The unit published an interim report on transport and social exclusion in May 2002.

The unit's final report will be published shortly.

Community Plan

Harry Cohen: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he expects to publish his community plan; and what topics he expects it to cover. [94779]

Mr. McNulty: The Communities Plan was published on 5 February. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Gloucestershire County Council

Mr. Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the reasons for the reduction in the grant for 2003–04 to Gloucestershire County Council;

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what notice he gave to that authority of the change; and what discussions he plans to have with Gloucestershire County Council on the implications of the reduction of its grant. [97281]

Mr. Raynsford: In 2003–04 Gloucestershire County Council will receive a grant increase of £20.5 million or 7.1 per cent. This is £0.4 million less than the figure announced at the provisional settlement. The reason for the change is that, as is the case every year and as the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister made clear in the formal consultation letter sent to all authorities at the time of the December announcement, the calculations for the final settlement use more up-to-date data than are available for the provisional settlement. Local authorities and the LGA know that the

10 Feb 2003 : Column 574W

consequence of using updated data is that there are always changes in grant allocations between provisional and final settlement. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will explain the changes as they affect Gloucestershire to the council should they so wish.

Housing (Right to Buy)

Matthew Green: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the total value of discounts provided under the Right to Buy scheme was in each year since 1980. [90984]

Mr. McNulty: The total value of discounts on local authority sales into owner-occupation, including Right to Buy, in England since 1980–81 is presented below, along with the number and market value of properties purchased, expressed in real cost terms at 2001–02 prices.

Local authority dwelling sales into owner occupation—England

of which:

All sales for owner occupation Sales under RTB

All sales (number) Market value(£ million) Discount allowed (£ million) RTB sales (number) Market value(£ million) Discount allowed (£ million)

1980–81 68,200 2,680 1,040 2,300 n/a n/a

1981–82 128,200 4,907 2,074 105,200 n/a n/a

1982–83 181,200 6,551 2,774 167,100 n/a n/a

1983–84 119,000 4,620 1,930 106,300 n/a n/a

1984–85 91,400 3,838 1,687 77,500 n/a n/a

Five year total 588,000 22,596 9,505 458,400

Five year average 117,600 4,519 1,901 91,700

1985–86 82,300 3,615 1,661 72,100 n/a n/a

1986–87 85,300 4,115 1,909 76,700 n/a n/a

1987–88 103,400 5,445 2,575 93,700 n/a n/a

1988–89 144,600 8,349 4,149 135,700 n/a n/a

1989–90 141,800 8,136 4,145 133,800 n/a n/a

Five year total 557,500 29,660 14,440 512,100

Five year average 111,500 5,932 2,888 102,400

1990–91 81,200 4,656 2,440 76,300 n/a n/a

1991–92 53,900 2,898 1,491 48,300 n/a n/a

1992–93 42,100 2,149 1,096 37,700 n/a n/a

1993–94 50,300 2,480 1,231 44,700 n/a n/a

1994–95 46,200 2,268 1,128 43,300 2,163 1,091

Five year total 273,800 14,450 7,386 250,300

Five year average 54,800 2,890 1,477 50,100

1995–96 33,200 1,558 773 31,500 1,504 760

1996–97 35,200 1,607 774 33,200 1,537 765

1997–98 42,100 1,998 980 41,300 1,954 973

1998–99 41,100 2,012 1,006 40,300 1,972 999

1999–2000 55,000 2,845 1,367 54,300 2,797 1,358

Five year total 206,500 10,020 4,900 200,600 9,764 4,855

Five year average 41,300 2,004 980 40,100 1,953 971

2000–01 53,000 2,796 1,286 52,400 2,742 1,278

2001–02⁽³⁴⁾ 52,500 2,826 1,222 52,000 2,783 1,215

Cumulative totals

1980–81 to 2001–02 1,731,300 82,348 38,740 1,525,800 n/a n/a

1994–95 to 2001–02 358,300 17,909 8,537 348,300 17,452 8,439

					of which:
	All sales for owner occupation	Sales under RTB
	All sales (number)	Market value(£ million)	Discount allowed (£ million)	RTB sales (number)	Market value(£ million)	Discount allowed (£ million)
1980–81	68,200	2,680	1,040	2,300	n/a	n/a
1981–82	128,200	4,907	2,074	105,200	n/a	n/a
1982–83	181,200	6,551	2,774	167,100	n/a	n/a
1983–84	119,000	4,620	1,930	106,300	n/a	n/a
1984–85	91,400	3,838	1,687	77,500	n/a	n/a
Five year total	588,000	22,596	9,505	458,400
Five year average	117,600	4,519	1,901	91,700

1985–86	82,300	3,615	1,661	72,100	n/a	n/a
1986–87	85,300	4,115	1,909	76,700	n/a	n/a
1987–88	103,400	5,445	2,575	93,700	n/a	n/a
1988–89	144,600	8,349	4,149	135,700	n/a	n/a
1989–90	141,800	8,136	4,145	133,800	n/a	n/a
Five year total	557,500	29,660	14,440	512,100
Five year average	111,500	5,932	2,888	102,400

1990–91	81,200	4,656	2,440	76,300	n/a	n/a
1991–92	53,900	2,898	1,491	48,300	n/a	n/a
1992–93	42,100	2,149	1,096	37,700	n/a	n/a
1993–94	50,300	2,480	1,231	44,700	n/a	n/a
1994–95	46,200	2,268	1,128	43,300	2,163	1,091
Five year total	273,800	14,450	7,386	250,300
Five year average	54,800	2,890	1,477	50,100

1995–96	33,200	1,558	773	31,500	1,504	760
1996–97	35,200	1,607	774	33,200	1,537	765
1997–98	42,100	1,998	980	41,300	1,954	973
1998–99	41,100	2,012	1,006	40,300	1,972	999
1999–2000	55,000	2,845	1,367	54,300	2,797	1,358
Five year total	206,500	10,020	4,900	200,600	9,764	4,855
Five year average	41,300	2,004	980	40,100	1,953	971

2000–01	53,000	2,796	1,286	52,400	2,742	1,278
2001–02⁽³⁴⁾	52,500	2,826	1,222	52,000	2,783	1,215

Cumulative totals
1980–81 to 2001–02	1,731,300	82,348	38,740	1,525,800	n/a	n/a
1994–95 to 2001–02	358,300	17,909	8,537	348,300	17,452	8,439

⁽³⁴⁾ Denotes provisional.

Notes:

1. Monetary values are expressed in real terms (at 2001–02 prices, using GDP deflators) to the nearest £ million.

2. Number of sales are presented to the nearest 100.

Source:

DOE/DETR/DTLR/ODPM P1B housing activity quarterly returns.

10 Feb 2003 : Column 575W

Human Rights Act

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether inspectors of the Audit Commission are given training in the effect of the Human Rights Act 1998 upon their role, with particular reference to Article 6 of the ECHR. [96672]

Mr. Leslie: As part of their induction training, all Audit Commission inspectors are made aware of the implications of the Human Rights Act for the principles to be applied when carrying out their work.

Local Government Funding

Gregory Barker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) what representations his Department received (a) prior to and (b) since the announcement of the Local Government Finance settlement for East Sussex concerning the treatment of cost of living in the local government funding formula; and if he will make a statement; [96256]

(a)

(b)

(c)

(3) what representations he has received from East Sussex County Council concerning the effect that the Local Government Finance settlement will have on public services in the county. [96262]

Mr. Raynsford: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister received two letters from East Sussex County Council in response to the consultation on the Review of Formula Grant Distribution and three letters during consultation on the provisional local government finance settlement 2003–04. East Sussex were also able to make representations on our proposals at a meeting with my hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green. These raised a number of issues including the implications of our proposals for education, core services, the level of council tax in the county and the consequences for public services. The cost of living and the level of the County's GDP were also raised. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister considered carefully all the comments made alongside all others as we took final decisions on the settlement.

Gregory Barker : To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average local government finance settlement for 2003–04 is for county councils; and how much each county council is to receive. [96257]

Mr. Raynsford: The table shows the adjusted 20020–03 grant, the 2003–04 grant, the change in grant and the percentage change in grant for (i) county councils, (ii) total county councils and (iii) the average for county councils.

£ million

Local authority Adjusted 2002–03 Grant 2003–04 Grant Change Percentage change

Bedfordshire 209,784 224,590 14,806 7.1

Buckinghamshire 233,998 249,072 15,074 6.4

Cambridgeshire 265,525 288,141 22,615 8.5

Cheshire 339,034 365,698 26,664 7.9

Cornwall 282,017 298,191 16,174 5.7

Cumbria 281,052 293,654 12,601 4.5

Derbyshire 397,119 427,956 30,837 7.8

Devon 358,546 373,500 14,954 4.2

Dorset 174,408 181,213 6,805 3.9

Durham 311,778 333,050 21,271 6.8

East Sussex 266,207 276,280 10,073 3.8

Essex 734,306 761,871 27,565 3.8

Gloucestershire 288,776 309,229 20,453 7.1

Hampshire 605,064 627,971 22,907 3.8

Hertfordshire 574,613 597,107 22,495 3.9

Kent 781,352 812,456 31,105 4.0

Lancashire 680,497 712,003 31,506 4.6

Leicestershire 298,556 318,181 19,624 6.6

Lincolnshire 360,893 385,279 24,386 6.8

Norfolk 420,255 446,132 25,878 6.2

North Yorkshire 294,210 309,455 15,245 5.2

Northamptonshire 351,203 380,354 29,151 8.3

Northumberland 182,768 191,953 9,185 5.0

Nottinghamshire 408,973 439,735 30,762 7.5

Oxfordshire 291,955 310,051 18,097 6.2

Shropshire 150,584 158,679 8,094 5.4

Somerset 257,167 274,081 16,913 6.6

Staffordshire 422,817 452,723 29,906 7.1

Suffolk 349,614 370,939 21,325 6.1

Surrey 458,205 481,468 23,263 5.1

Warwickshire 246,921 267,478 20,557 8.3

West Sussex 364,889 379,642 14,753 4.0

Wiltshire 204,417 222,637 18,219 8.9

Worcestershire 257,351 272,811 15,460 6.0

Total shire counties 12,104,854 12,793,577 688,723 5.7

Average shire counties 356,025 376,282 20,257 5.7

Local authority	Adjusted 2002–03 Grant	2003–04 Grant	Change	Percentage change
Bedfordshire	209,784	224,590	14,806	7.1
Buckinghamshire	233,998	249,072	15,074	6.4
Cambridgeshire	265,525	288,141	22,615	8.5
Cheshire	339,034	365,698	26,664	7.9
Cornwall	282,017	298,191	16,174	5.7
Cumbria	281,052	293,654	12,601	4.5
Derbyshire	397,119	427,956	30,837	7.8
Devon	358,546	373,500	14,954	4.2
Dorset	174,408	181,213	6,805	3.9
Durham	311,778	333,050	21,271	6.8
East Sussex	266,207	276,280	10,073	3.8
Essex	734,306	761,871	27,565	3.8
Gloucestershire	288,776	309,229	20,453	7.1
Hampshire	605,064	627,971	22,907	3.8
Hertfordshire	574,613	597,107	22,495	3.9
Kent	781,352	812,456	31,105	4.0
Lancashire	680,497	712,003	31,506	4.6
Leicestershire	298,556	318,181	19,624	6.6
Lincolnshire	360,893	385,279	24,386	6.8
Norfolk	420,255	446,132	25,878	6.2
North Yorkshire	294,210	309,455	15,245	5.2
Northamptonshire	351,203	380,354	29,151	8.3
Northumberland	182,768	191,953	9,185	5.0
Nottinghamshire	408,973	439,735	30,762	7.5
Oxfordshire	291,955	310,051	18,097	6.2
Shropshire	150,584	158,679	8,094	5.4
Somerset	257,167	274,081	16,913	6.6
Staffordshire	422,817	452,723	29,906	7.1
Suffolk	349,614	370,939	21,325	6.1
Surrey	458,205	481,468	23,263	5.1
Warwickshire	246,921	267,478	20,557	8.3
West Sussex	364,889	379,642	14,753	4.0
Wiltshire	204,417	222,637	18,219	8.9
Worcestershire	257,351	272,811	15,460	6.0

Total shire counties	12,104,854	12,793,577	688,723	5.7

Average shire counties	356,025	376,282	20,257	5.7

10 Feb 2003 : Column 576W

Mr. Maude: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of local government revenues were derived from council tax in each of the past five years. [96525]

Mr. Leslie: The proportion of local government revenue expenditure financed from the council tax in the last five years is tabled as follows:

Income from council tax as a percentage of local government spending

Year Percentage

1998–99 25

1999–2000 25

2000–01 25

2001–02⁽³⁵⁾ 25

2002–03⁽³⁶⁾ 26

Year	Percentage
1998–99	25
1999–2000	25
2000–01	25
2001–02⁽³⁵⁾	25
2002–03⁽³⁶⁾	26

⁽³⁵⁾ Provisional figures

⁽³⁶⁾ Budgeted figures

Source:

1998–99 to 2001–02 Revenue Summary Returns. 2002–03 Budget Estimate Returns.

Mr. Maude: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of local authorities' budgets were ring-fenced in each of the past five years. [96526]

Mr. Raynsford: Revenue: The following table shows the percentage of local authorities' budgets that has been ring-fenced for the years 1998–99 to 2002–03. It also shows the percentage of government funding to local authorities (Aggregate External Finance, AEF) that has been ring-fenced over this period. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has recently changed the definition of ring-fencing, to better encompass the range of grants that have been developed. The key distinction

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remains between grants that attempt to control spending by the local authority, and those that do not. The full definitions are contained in the Freedoms and Flexibilities for Local Government announcement published on 26 November. The following table uses the new definitions. On the old definitions ring fencing in 2002–03 would be 14.8 per cent. of AEF and 11.1 per cent. of budgets.

Government are committed to keeping ring fencing to the minimum necessary. On current plans, the rising trend shown in the table will be reversed and fall below 10 per cent. by 2005–06.

1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03

Percentage of AEF 3.9 4.9 6.5 7.4 12.5

Percentage of budget 3.7 4.1 5.6 7.3 9.8

	1998–99	1999–2000	2000–01	2001–02	2002–03
Percentage of AEF	3.9	4.9	6.5	7.4	12.5
Percentage of budget	3.7	4.1	5.6	7.3	9.8

The 26 November Freedoms and Flexibilities announcement detailed the further freedoms from ring-fencing for high performing councils.

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