Written question asked by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 7 February 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 10 February 2005. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Thursday, 10 February 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will estimate the total cost of the NHS LIFT programme to date. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the total cost of the NHS LIFT programme to date. [215849] Mr. Hutton: Capital for National Health Service Local Improvement Finance Trusts (LIFT) is provided through private finance. 33 schemes have reached financial close with an estimated capital value of £433 million, for their initial schemes. 18 further schemes are in various stages of procurement and it is not possible to estimate a value for them. Three schemes have also closed on their second wave of buildings and their combined capital value is estimated at £60 million. The Government have to date made available, from public sources, £177.9 million of enabling funds. As new LIFT buildings open, primary care trusts are meeting the financial consequences of this from their revenue allocations. Information on this spend is not held centrally.

Secondary information