2.25 Though imperfect, we consider the best early in‑year measure of relevant spending to be the cash withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund. This is effectively the current account for most departmental spending. Withdrawals made by departments up to 31 October 2011 have fallen by 4.9 per cent in real terms compared to the same period in 2010-11 (Figure 11). This reduction is greater than the 2.5 per cent fall forecast by the Treasury for the full year and is in line with public spending data published by the Office for National Statistics and the Treasury.
| Figure 11 Withdrawals from the Consolidated Fund April-October | |||
| Real terms (£bn) | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 |
| Withdrawals to 31 October | 272 | 265 | 252 |
| Percentage fall | 2.6 | 4.9 | |
| NOTE 1 Covers most spending within Departmental Expenditure Limits and some Annually Managed Expenditure, but not welfare benefit payments from the National Insurance Fund. 2 Adjusted to 2010-11 prices. Source: Consolidated Fund Supply by Vote, National Audit Office | |||