§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what increases in funding for area health authorities have been provided in each year since 1979 for community care for the mentally handicapped; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe development of services to patients are funded by health authorities from within the total resources available to them. Community care policies have benefited especially from the availability of joint finance, which is provided specifically to encourage joint planning and collaboration between health and local authorities. Joint finance allocations have increased by over 60 per 563W cent. in real terms since 1978–79. It is estimated that just over 30 per cent. of joint finance has been spent on services for mentally handicapped people.
Total annual provision of joint finance is shown in the table.
Year Allocation £ million 1978–79 34.5 1979–80 41.5 1980–81 61.0 1981–82 75.3 1982–83 84.7 1983–84 94.1 1984–85 98.9 1985–86 106.1 1986–87 109.9 1987–88 110.9