The government’s latest data on local government finance shows capital expenditure in England rose to £10.2bn in the six months to September 2018, up 8% or £796m on the same period a year earlier.
This is the highest April to September total in the last ten years, pushed higher by acquisitions of land and existing buildings, and greater spending on grants.
Spending on land and existing buildings was £1.9bn, up 38%, or £524m on the same period the previous year.
Spelthorne and Runnymede were the largest contributors, accounting for £323m and £172m respectively.
Expenditure on grants rose 146% over the period, from £970m to £1.6bn, with the Greater London Authority accounting for £1.1bn of this figure.
The GLA made £778m of grants to Transport for London (TfL), mainly for Crossrail, and £357m to the GLA mayor and assembly functions, most of which was related to the GLA’s affordable housing programme.
