Public expenditure

All Standard Notes
39 Documents
DateDescription
01.05.2012Public Finances: Economic Indicators page
The independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecasts that public borrowing will be £120 billion in 2012/13, equivalent to 7.6% of GDP.
30.04.2012Police funding: Social Indicators page
Police funding: Social Indicators page. By Gavin Berman and Ross Young. SN/SG/2616.
23.04.2012Social security benefits and expenditure: Social Indicators page
A summary of welfare expenditure figures.
17.04.2012Health expenditure: Social Indicators page
Health expenditure: Social Indicators page. By Rachael Harker. SN/SG/2640.
04.04.2012Holtham Commission
This note outlines the main recommendations from the Hotham Commission's final report, briefly summarises the Commission's first report and includes reaction from the Welsh Assembly and UK Government to the Commission's recommendations.
22.03.2012The 2012 Budget
This note summarises the main points of the 2012 Budget.
16.03.2012Background to the 2012 Budget
This note sets out the economic, public finance and taxation background to the 2012 Budget.
29.02.2012Public sector employment and expenditure by region
This note shows the regional pattern of public spending and public sector employment.
27.01.2012Government borrowing and debt: international comparisons
This note provides data on government borrowing and debt for advanced economies between 2006 and 2016.
20.01.2012Public procurement: small businesses and savings
This note briefly sets out the European and domestic public procurement rules before summarising Government efforts to use its procurement spend to support small businesses. It also sets out recent reforms to procurement processes which have aimed to drive down costs by centralising contracts with major government suppliers.
20.01.2012Public procurement
The public sector's general approach to procurement is to seek value for money. For certain contracts, procurement processes have to follow EU rules which aim to ensure transparency and non-discrimination.
10.01.2012Public Expenditure by country and region
This note provides information on levels of public spending per head in the countries and regions of the UK.
21.12.2011Recent PFI developments
The value for money of PFI contracts is coming under increasing scrutiny. This note considers some of the recent arguments. It also looks at the Government's policy on PFI.
20.12.2011The budget deficit: a short guide
This note aims to answer some FAQs related to the budget deficit.
29.11.2011The 2011 Autumn Statement
This note summarises the main points of the 2011 Autumn Statement.
28.11.2011Background to the 2011 Autumn Statement
This note sets out the background to the 2011 Autumn Statement which will take place on 29 November.
24.10.2011Public Services (Social Value) Bill 2010-12 [Bill 238 of 2010-12]: Committee Stage Report
This is a report on the House of Commons Committee Stage of the Public Services (Social Value) Bill 2010-12. It complements Research Paper 10/73 which was prepared for the Commons Second Reading of the Bill, then titled the Public Services (Social Enterprise and Social Value) Bill.
24.05.2011Health expenditure: international comparisons
In the UK expenditure on health comes largely from public funds, with 82.6% of total expenditure on health coming from public expenditure. This is the fifth highest proportion among OECD countries and is similar to other northern European countries. In the United States less than half of total health expenditure comes from public funds.
28.04.2011Government borrowing, debt and debt interest: historical statistics and forecasts
This note provides statistics on government borrowing, debt and debt interest payments. Historical figures and forecasts are shown. The note is purely statistical: there is no analysis.
30.03.2011The 2011 Budget
This note summarises the main points of the 2011 Budget and the reaction to it.
28.03.2011Background to the 2011 Budget
This note sets out the background to the 2011 Budget which will take place on Wednesday, 23 March.
24.02.2011UK overseas aid expenditure
This note describes how UK official development assistance (overseas aid) is distributed.
30.11.2010The 2010 Autumn Statement
This note provides background on the 2010 Autumn Statement which will be presented to the House by the Chancellor on monday 29 November.
15.11.2010Office for Budget Responsibility
This note provides background on the Office for Budget Responsibility
02.11.2010Education spending in the UK
Levels of public spending on education in the UK have reached new record levels in real terms in each year since 1996-97. Spending as a proportion of GDP in 2009-10 was the highest since the mid-1970s and could be higher still in 2010-11. Public expenditure on education as a proportion of GDP is still below the level in some EU states and total (public and private) spending was below the OECD average in 2007. The data included in this note covers actual spending to 2008-09 and estimated spending for 2009-10 and the last Government's plans for spending in 2010-11. It does not include education spending cuts announced by the coalition Government, although a rough guide to their possible impact is given on page 1
22.10.2010Background to the 2010 Spending Review
This note sets out the background to the Spending Review which will take place on 20 October.
22.10.2010The outcome of the 2010 Spending Review
This note summarises the main measures of the 2010 Spending Review.
17.08.2010Public sector employment by parliamentary constituency
Table showing employment in public administration, health and education by parliamentary constituency
30.06.2010The Clear Line of Sight (Alignment) Project
This note provides information on the Clear Line of Sight project which aims to improve presentation and reporting of public expenditure.
29.06.2010June 2010 Budget: a summary
This note provides a summary of the main points of the 2010 Budget and the initial reaction to it.
18.06.2010Background to the June 2010 Budget
This note gives the economic, public finance and taxation background to the June 2010 Budget
26.03.2010The 2010 Budget
This note summarises the main points in the 2010 Budget and the reaction to it.
09.03.2010Background to the 2010 Budget
This note sets out the economic and public finance background to the 2010 Budget.
10.12.2009Background to the 2009 Pre-Budget Report
This note provides the economic and public finance background to the 2009 Pre-Budget Report.
10.12.2009The 2009 Pre-Budget Report
This note sets out the main features of the 2009 Pre-Budget Report and the reaction to it.
23.10.2009Projections of long term care expenditure
Projections of long term care expenditure. By Rachael Harker. SN/SG/3126. This Note summarises the latest projections of expenditure on long-term care services for older people in England to 2041 derived from the University of Kent's Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU) model.
03.07.2009The Barnett formula: recent developments
21.04.2009Background to the 2009 Budget
The 2009 Budget will be presented by the Chancellor on 22 April. This note provides background on recent developments and forecasts for the economy and public finances.
20.11.2008Background to the 2008 Pre-Budget Report
This note provides background to the Pre-Budget Report which will be delivered on 24 November. The note covers the outlook for the economy and public finances and the measures the Government may take to boost the economy.
All Research Papers
13 Documents
DateDescription
15.03.2011Budget Responsibility and National Audit [HL] Bill: Committee stage report
The Bill establishes the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) on a statutory basis, following its creation after the general election of 2010. It also requires the Treasury to publish a Charter for Budget Responsibility setting out its approach to fiscal policy. The Bill would also confirm a new corporate governance structure for the National Audit Office, under a new paid post of Chair, who would develop a joint strategy with the Comptroller and Auditor General. This Research Paper covers the Bill's House of Commons Committee Stage.
08.02.2011Budget Responsibility and National Audit Bill [HL]
The Bill establishes the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) on a statutory basis, following its creation after the general election of 2010. It also requires the Treasury to publish a Charter for Budget Responsibility setting out its approach to fiscal policy. The Bill would also confirm a new corporate governance structure for the National Audit Office, under a new paid post of Chair, who would develop a joint strategy with the Comptroller and Auditor General.
06.07.2010Economic indicators, July 2010
This Research Paper series summarises the main economic indicators currently available for the UK, along with comparisons with other major OECD countries. This edition includes articles on future growth in the UK economy, and the CPI and benefit indexation. [article:'Future growth in the UK economy' and 'The CPI and benefit indexation']
22.12.2009Fiscal Responsibility Bill (Bill 13 of 2009-10)
The Bill imposes a number of obligations on the Treasury to reduce government borrowing and debt. It allows the Treasury to impose further duties by order and requires that such an order be made for the period after 2015/16. The Bill requires the Treasury to report on progress towards, and compliance with, these obligations in future Budgets and Pre-Budget Reports.
14.12.2007The Barnett Formula
21.10.2003Private finance initiative (PFI)
The Private Finance Initiative (PFI). House of Commons Library Research Paper 03/79.
23.09.2003Burden of taxation
The Burden of Taxation. House of Commons Library Research Paper 03/74.
01.12.2002Economic indicators
Economic indicators. (Includes article on Public expenditure). House of Commons Library Research Paper 02/70.
09.07.2002Burden of Taxation
The burden of taxation. House of Commons Library Research Paper 02/43.
30.11.2001The Barnett formula
The Barnett formula. House of Commons Library Research Paper 01/108.
08.06.2000Background to the 2000 Spending Review
Background to the 2000 Spending Review. House of Commons Library Research Paper 00/59
30.11.1999Government Resources and Accounts Bill (Bill 3 1999/2000)
The Government Resources and Accounts Bill (Bill 3 of 1999/2000). House of Commons Library Research Paper 99/97.
12.01.1998The Barnett formula
The Barnett formula. House of Commons Research Paper 98/8.
All Select Committee Reports
39 Select Committee Reports
DateDescription
19.12.2011Private finance initiative.
Government response. Treasury; Office for Budget Responsibility; National Audit Office; Treasury Select Committee report [Commons]
18.07.2011Lessons from PFI and other projects.
Public Accounts Committee report [Commons]
18.07.2011Private finance initiative.
Treasury Select Committee report [Commons]
20.06.2011Budget 2011.
Government response. Treasury Select Committee; Treasury; Office for Budget Responsibility report [Commons]
27.04.2011Finance (No.
Treasury Select Committee report [Commons]
28.03.2011Accountability for public money.
Public Accounts Committee report [Commons]
15.02.2011The major projects report 2010.
Public Accounts Committee report [Commons]
08.02.2011Excess votes 2009-10.
Public Accounts Committee report [Commons]
31.01.2011Commissioning.
Government response. Department of Health report [Commons]
27.01.2011Spending Review 2010.
Government response. Treasury Select Committee report [Commons]
25.01.2011HMRC 2009-10 accounts.
Public Accounts Committee report [Commons]
14.12.2010Financial Scrutiny of the Department for Transport.
Transport Select Committee report [Commons]
01.12.2010Financing PFI projects in the credit crisis and the Treasury's response.
Public Accounts Committee report [Commons]
01.12.2010Procurement of the M25 private finance contract.
Public Accounts Committee report [Commons]
22.11.2010Comprehensive spending review.
Treasury Select Committee report [Commons]
27.10.2010Progress with VFM savings and lessons for cost reduction programmes.
Public Accounts Committee report [Commons]
30.07.2010Setting priorities for publicly funded research.
Government response. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills report [Commons and Lords]
06.04.2010Government Response to Report on Private Finance Projects and off-balance sheet debt.
Government response. Economic Affairs Select Committee (HL) report [Lords]
23.02.2010Private finance projects and off-balance sheet debt.
Economic Affairs Select Committee (HL) report [Lords]
09.02.2010Reporting contingent liabilities to Parliament (Emergency liquidity assistance).
Treasury Select Committee report [Commons]
08.02.2010Excess votes 2008-09.
Public Accounts Committee report [Commons]
16.12.2009Government response to the Barnett Formula Select Committee (HL)'s first report of session 2008-09 (HL...
Government response. Treasury report [Commons and Lords]
29.10.2009Financial scrutiny: Parliamentary control over Government budgets.
Government response. Treasury; House of Commons Liaison Committee report [Commons]
14.10.2009Evaluating the efficiency programme.
Government response. Treasury; Revenue and Customs; Treasury Select Committee report [Commons]
21.07.2009Evaluating the efficiency programme.
Treasury Select Committee report [Commons]
09.07.2009Barnett Formula Select Committee (HL) first report on the Barnett formula.
Barnett Formula Select Committee (HL) report [Lords]
08.07.2009Financial management in the Home Office.
Public Accounts Committee report [Commons]
07.07.2009Budget 2009.
Government response. Treasury; Treasury Select Committee report [Commons]
25.06.2009Financial scrutiny: Parliamentary control over Government budgets.
House of Commons Liaison Committee report [Commons]
02.06.2009Pre-Budget Report 2008: green fiscal policy in a recession.
Government response. Treasury; Environmental Audit Select Committee report [Commons]
05.05.2009Budget 2009.
Treasury Select Committee report [Commons]
27.04.2009Pre-Budget Report 2008.
Government response. Treasury; Treasury Select Committee report [Commons]
01.04.2009Public expenditure.
Government response. Department for Children, Schools and Families; Children Schools and Families Select Committee report [Commons]
30.03.2009Financial management in the NHS: report on the NHS summarised accounts 2007-08.
Public Accounts Committee report [Commons]
10.03.2009Pre-Budget Report 2008: green fiscal policy in a recession.
Environmental Audit Select Committee report [Commons]
11.02.2009Selection of the new Comptroller and Auditor General.
Public Accounts Committee report [Commons]
09.02.2009Excess votes 2007-08.
Public Accounts Committee report [Commons]
20.01.2009Pre-Budget Report 2008.
Treasury Select Committee report [Commons]
08.12.2008Public expenditure.
Children Schools and Families Select Committee report [Commons]