To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the total expenditure on Planning Delivery Grant was in each year since its creation; and what expenditure is forecast in future years. (111987)

The Planning Delivery Grant (PDG) was introduced in 2003-04, as part of the spending review settlement and was designed to reward local planning authorities (LPAs) across the country on a variety of different performance criteria to enable them to improve all aspects of the service they provide.

The total expenditure on PDG in 2003-04 was £50 million followed by £130 million in 2004-05, £170 million in 2005-06 and £135 million in 2006-07. A further £120 million will be allocated for the 2007-08 grant period resulting in a total expenditure of £605 million. Communities and Local Government consulted on a new grant to follow PDG: the Housing and Planning Delivery Grant (HPDG). Representations are currently being considered and potential future expenditure is being considered as part of the current spending review.