§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each local authority(a) the amount of grant that will be payable in each year to support the National Carers Strategy, (b) the estimated number of carers and (c) the product of dividing (a) by (b). [71102]
§ Mr. GalbraithLocal authorities have been allocated £1.1 billion for social work services in Scotland in 1999–2000. Although not ring-fenced, at least £5.1 million is for carers and respite care. Also £5 million of the total has been specifically allocated to encourage local authorities to implement the Community Care Action Plan, a key theme of which is support for carers. Information on the numbers of carers is not held centrally. It is for each authority to determine how much of its total resources to allocate to assisting carers.
From 1 July, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.