The government set out its spending plans and priorities in Northern Ireland for 2003-04 and beyond. The main priorities were described as: growing as a community, working for a healthier people, investing in education and skills, securing a competitive economy, and developing relations (on a north-south, east-west and international basis).
Source: House of Commons Hansard, Written Ministerial Statement 11.12.02, columns 18-20WS, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Hansard
Date: 2002-Dec
Public sector net debt was equivalent to 30.6 per cent of gross domestic product at the end of the third quarter of 2002, compared to 30.7 per cent a year earlier.
Source: Press release 23.12.02, Office for National Statistics (0845 601 3034)
Links: Press release (pdf)
Date: 2002-Dec
The government published a White Paper setting out its overall public services capital investment strategy up to 2005-06, including a summary of the detailed plans produced by each department. The paper said that, over the period, an additional 12 billion will go towards public services investment projects, including 3 billion for schools, 2.5 billion for the National Health Service, 2 billion for transport, and 1 billion for housing. By 2006, net investment in public services is projected to be almost five times higher than in 1997.
Source: Departmental Investment Strategies: A Summary, Cm 5674, HM Treasury, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report (pdf) | Press release
Date: 2002-Dec
Details were published of the 2002-03 winter supplementary estimates for departmental spending.
Source: House of Commons Hansard, Written Ministerial Statements 27.11.02, columns 13WS-36WS, TSO (0870 600 5522) | House of Commons Hansard, Written Ministerial Statements 28.11.02, columns 40WS-55WS, TSO
Links: Hansard 27.11.02 | Hansard 28.11.02
Date: 2002-Nov
A poll showed that 62 per cent of those questioned would be in favour of further tax increases to provide extra money for the National Health Service and other public services.
Source: Paying Extra Taxes Survey: November 2002, ICM Research (020 7436 3114)
Links: Poll results
Date: 2002-Nov
The government published a report analysing long-term economic and demographic developments, and their likely impact on the public finances. It said that the United Kingdom's fiscal position is sustainable in the long term on the basis of current policies, and that there is a high degree of 'intergenerational fairness'.
Source: Long-Term Public Finance Report: An analysis of fiscal sustainability, HM Treasury (020 7270 4558)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Nov
The Scottish Executive published further details of its planned spending for 2003-06.
Source: Closing the Opportunity Gap: Scottish Budget for 2003-06, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: Report
Date: 2002-Nov
The government published an end-of-year fiscal report for the first time. It said that it is 'firmly on track' to meet its fiscal rules in 2000-01 and 2001-02.
Source: End of Year Fiscal Report, HM Treasury (020 7270 4558)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary
Date: 2002-Nov
At the end of September 2002 public sector net debt outstanding was 319.6 billion, equivalent to 30.4 per cent of gross domestic product (down from 30.8 per cent a year earlier).
Source: Public Sector Finances: September 2002, Office for National Statistics (0845 601 3034) and HM Treasury
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Oct
The National Audit Office and the Office for National Statistics issued a joint statement explaining their differing approach to the question of whether Network Rail should be treated as part of the public sector.
Source: Joint Statement on Network Rail, Office for National Statistics (0845 601 3034) and National Audit Office
Links: Statement (pdf) | Press release
Date: 2002-Oct
The Scottish Executive announced its spending plans for 2003-06, which it claimed are designed to tackle poverty, inequality, unemployment and anti-social behaviour.
Source: Building a Better Scotland - Spending Proposals 2003-06: What the money buys, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: Plans (pdf) | Plans | Press release
Date: 2002-Sep
The Treasury launched a consultation on updated guidance for the appraisal and evaluation of policies and projects involving public spending (the 'Green Book').
Source: The Green Book - Consultation Paper: Appraisal and Evaluation in Central Government, HM Treasury (020 7270 4558)
Links: Press release
Date: 2002-Jul
At the end of June 2002 public sector net debt outstanding was 317.5 billion, equivalent to 30.6 per cent of gross domestic product (down from 31.7 per cent in June 2001).
Source: Public Sector Finances: June 2002, Office for National Statistics, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Jul
The government set out its spending priorities for the period 2003-06, and reaffirmed its commitment to delivering strong and efficient public services. Education was the main winner, with spending set to increase by 6 per cent a year.
Source: Opportunity and Security for All: Investing in an Enterprising, Fairer Britain: New Public Spending Plans 2003-2006, White Paper Cm 5570, HM Treasury, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: White Paper | Press release | Hansard
Date: 2002-Jul
The Office for National Statistics decided to classify Network Rail s borrowing as private sector borrowing in the national accounts. Subsequently it was forced to defend its decision, but it received support from the European Union.
Sources: Press releases 5.7.02, 11.7.02 and 18.7.02, Office for National Statistics (0845 601 3034)
Links: ONS press releases (pdf): 5.7.02 | 11.7.02 | 18.7.02
Date: 2002-Jul
Public sector employment rose by 91,000 in 2001, the third consecutive annual rise, mainly in education and the National Health Service.
Source: C. Hardwidge, 'Jobs in the public and private sectors', Economic Trends, June 2002, Office for National Statistics, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Summary (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/1, Digest 121 (paragraph 10.2)
Date: 2002-May