To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) by how much Newham Primary Care Trust was under its weighted capitation target in each financial year between 1997-98 and 2005-06; and by how much she expects it to be under its weighted capitation target in financial year 2006-07; (82067)

Revenue allocations were first made to primary care trusts (PCTs) in 2003-04, prior to this funding was allocated to health authorities. The distances from target for Newham PCT for the period 2003-04 to 2007-08 are provided in the table.

Revenue allocations to PCTs are made on the basis of a weighted capitation formula, which directs funding to those areas of greatest need.

The weighted capitation formula calculates a PCTs’ target share of available resources. Once the target is set by the formula, the speed at which PCTs reach their target is determined by the pace of change policy.

For the 2006 to 2008 revenue allocations, the policy is to move PCTs more quickly towards their target share of funds. In 2003-04, the most under target PCT was 22 per cent. target and by the end of 2007-08, no PCT will be more than 3.5 per cent. below its fair share.