§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department last reviewed the funding by local authorities towards the cost of people previously resident in their area who are in private residential or nursing home care; and if he will make a statement. [80026]
§ Mr. HuttonLocal authority funding was given priority in the Government's recent Comprehensive Spending Review of all public expenditure. The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in July 1998 that almost £3 billion extra would be provided for Personal Social Services over the next three years.
278WThese additional resources year on year will enable authorities to plan and commission more effectively the range of services, including residential and nursing home care, required by vulnerable people.