Statement on Comprehensive Spending Review

• Video and Audio: Comprehensive Spending Review
• Commons Hansard: Comprehensive Spending Review
• About Parliament: Ministerial statements

Spending Review 2010

The outcome of the Spending Review 2010 has been published by the Government on Wednesday 20 October. The Review sets out the Government's spending plans for the next four years.

• HM Treasury: Spending Review documents (external website)

The House of Commons will debate the Spending Review on Thursday 28 October.

What is a Comprehensive Spending Review?

Since 1998 the Government has set out its plans for departmental spending in a Spending Review. Comprehensive Spending Reviews set firm and fixed expenditure limits for Government Departments for a specific time period. Government departments use the money allocated to them to spend on public services. Spending Reviews have taken place in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2007.

Oral statements

Oral statements are made after Question Time (or at 11am on a Friday). Statements usually relate to matters of policy or government actions.

At the end of a statement, MPs can respond or question the government minister on its contents.

Further information

• Commons Library briefing paper: The 2010 Spending Review
• Topics: Public expenditure