HC Deb 31 January 1984 vol 53 c132
13. Mr. Boyes

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has yet studied the report of survey, December 1983 produced by the Association of Directors of Social Services; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Patten

The survey had only a two thirds response, and on some aspects Government statistics are more complete and up-to-date. Nevertheless, the survey provides helpful indications of local authorities' past record of protecting vulnerable people, and of their positive response to our community care policies.

Mr. Boyes

Is the Minister aware that the Association of Directors of Social Services has issued a press release today announcing that it anticipates a spending cut of 12 per cent. because of ratecapping? To illustrate that, it means approximately 50,000 home help cuts for elderly people, 50,000 fewer meals-on-wheels for elderly people and 7,000 fewer places in old peoples' homes. Is it not criminal, wicked and evil that our old people are paying for Tory Government policies?

Mr. Patten

I was not aware of the press release to which the hon. Gentleman referred. The last time the association issued a press release it suggested that the growth in revenue experienced by social service departments in this country in 1983–84 would be 1.75 per cent. That was wrong. It has been about 2.5 per cent., so I would need to look very carefully at the basis of the figures before putting too much weight on them at this time.

Mr. Meacher

Is the Minister aware that the report of the Association of Directors of Social Services said that 4 per cent. real growth is necessary each year simply to maintain existing standards of community care because of the greater numbers of elderly people? His Department has said that the absolute minimum is 2 per cent., yet the Government's published plans for this next year propose only 1 per cent. Does not this big cutback expose the Government's talk of community care for the charade that it is, which is dumping old people on the community, often with nobody to look after them?

Mr. Patten

There have been no cutbacks of the sort that the hon. Gentleman suggests. He would do well also to address his mind to the critically important issue in the personal social services of getting social services which are effective and efficient, and which deliver good value for money. He needs to address his mind to comparing the unit costs of the provision of social services around the country, which vary greatly. Those are the questions that need to be asked.