§ Mr. ThomasonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when she intends to issue further guidance to local authorities on charges to users of social services provided under "Caring for People".
§ Mr. YeoAs envisaged in "Caring for People" we have issued guidance and made regulations about charges to people in residential and nursing homes from April 1993. Local social services authorities also have powers to charge users of day and domiciliary services where this is reasonable. The Government's long-established policy on the use of these powers is well known. we consider that further guidance will be more useful if it can reflect early experience of implementing "Caring for People". We plan to issue such guidance once that has been assessed.