TREASURY was put on notice by several ministers yesterday that they would be looking for more money next year.

The States accounts report for 2008 was approved without objection, but the debate surrounding it threw up some contentious issues.

Chief Minister Lyndon Trott provoked Health Minister Hunter Adam by arguing that the Health and Social Services Department was receiving a reasonable slice of the budget and a reasonable 8.5% yearly increase.

‘Many believe we are starving HSSD, yet they received £94.2m,’ he said.

Deputy Trott also emphasised the importance of external relations and suggested it was an area for further funding.

He questioned why there was so much money in unspent balances if the States were so strapped for cash.

Deputy Adam (pictured) responded that what HSSD was receiving was minimum.

‘Yes, I agree that 8.5% sounds a very generous sum but for HSSD it really is the minimum.’

He said medical inflation ran at between 8 and 10% per year because of the increasing cost of drugs.

‘One treatment can cost as much as £300,000 per year,’ he said.

He said a huge chunk of the budget was taken up by off-island placements for people with needs too complex to treat locally, and pointed out that many costs were unavoidable, such as the Ambulance and Rescue Services.