§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how his Department ensured that the report, "Removing Barriers", published by the Local Government Association, was taken into account during the 1997–98 comprehensive spending review; and which of its recommendations have been implemented. [8050]
§ Jacqui SmithIn reaching our view of what to include in the comprehensive spending review 1998 we consulted widely and took into account the views of the Local Government Association (LGA) and other stakeholders.
The LGA report "Removing Barriers", which was published in 1997, highlighted the need for an active dialogue between the Department and the Department of Social Security (Department for Work and Pensions) on the interaction of the benefit system, and the local management of statutory welfare duties.
Departmental Ministers and officials regularly meet their opposite numbers in DWP, and with LGA representatives to discuss issues of mutual interest.
In the 1998 CSR we secured increased resources for social services averaging 3.1 per cent. a year in real terms for the years 1999–2000 to 2001–02.