Utility Bills

Jenny Willott
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how much each NHS trust spent on gas bills in each year since 2001; what the average expenditure of NHS trusts was on gas bills in each year; and if she will make a statement;

(2) how much was spent, on average, on electricity by NHS trusts in each year since 2001; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham
Information on the amount spent by each national health service trust on gas and electricity, purchased directly from national or regional utility suppliers, in each year since 2001 has been placed in the Library.

The average cost per trust spent on gas and electricity purchased directly from national or regional utility suppliers, in each year since 2001 is in the following table.

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|£000   |
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|       |Electricity|Gas|
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|2001-02|250,420|207,074|
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|2002-03|203,958|169,625|
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|2003-04|210,945|180,100|
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|2004-05|259,262|226,566|
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|2005-06|365,938|351,840|
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The NHS purchasing and supply authority who provide advice and guidance on several different options for procuring these supplies purchase approximately 85 per cent. of gas and electricity for the NHS via centrally negotiated and arranged contracts.

This information is as provided by NHS organisations without amendment. Since 2004-05, it has been provided on a voluntary basis and may therefore be incomplete.