Written question asked by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Friday, 14 December 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 December 2001. It was answered by Lord Whitehead (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 December 2001 on behalf of the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

Dept for Transport Local Government and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the average total borrowing is for (a) all and (b) district councils in England and Wales. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Mike O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average total borrowing is for (a) all and (b) district councils in England and Wales. [23804] Dr. Whitehead: I have been asked to reply. The average total debt (long and short-term) for English local authorities, as at March 2001, was about £132 million. This figure covers London boroughs, Metropolitan districts, Unitary authorities, Shire counties and Shire districts. The average total debt for Metropolitan districts is about £368 million and for Shire districts is about £14 million. It should be noted that authorities with high levels of debt are generally those which have undertaken capital investment and that long-term borrowing to finance capital expenditure is regulated by Government through the issue of credit approvals.

Secondary information