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Fri 11 Nov 2006Government spending to rise by more than 10% next yearGovernment spending will rise by more than 10 per cent next year when Budget day measures are added to the spending Estimates published yesterday. Presenting the Estimates, Minister for Finance Brian Cowen announced an 8.1 per cent increase in State expenditure.More than a quarter of the €4 billion increase will go on public sector pay. However, spending plans worth several hundred millions of euro to help the elderly and those with learning disabilities have been held over until next month's Budget. These measures will take the overall increase in Government spending in election year to more than 10 per cent.