Written question asked by Graham Allen (Labour) on Thursday, 20 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 27 January 2005. It was answered by Lord Boateng (Labour) on Thursday, 27 January 2005 on behalf of the Treasury.

Treasury

Question: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on the total levels of spending on (a) the National Health Service, (b) education and (c) the criminal justice system in (i) 1997 and (ii) the latest period for which figures are available. - Inc table.

Answer: Mr. Allen: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the total levels of spending on (a) the national health service, (b) education and (c) the criminal justice system in (i) 1997 and (ii) the latest period for which figures are available. [211054] Mr. Boateng: Total UK public spending on the national health service, education and criminal justice system, in 1997-98 and 2003-04, the latest outturn year, is shown as follows in real terms (2003-04 prices). _________________________________________________________________________________________________. 1997-98 (£ million) 2003-04 (£ million) Year-on-year real terms increase (percentage) National health service 51,848 74,889 6.3 Education 43,391 59,489 5.4 Criminal justice 17,354 22,967 4.8 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Source: Based on National Statistics release of 2 December 2004 (Pn 99/ 04) and latest GDP from 23 December 2004.

Secondary information