§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the average occupancy rates are for(a) residential home beds and (b) nursing home beds in the last 12 months; and whether the figures he collates for capacity in those homes are based on (i) actual occupancy and (ii) availability for use; [53272]
(2) what assessment he has made of the number of (a) residential home beds and (b) nursing home beds which are unoccupied and likely to de-register for use in the next 12 months. [53268]
§ Jacqui SmithIn March 2001 (the most recent date for which figures are available) the occupancy rate for private residential homes was 90.4 per cent. In March 2000 the respective figures were 88.3 per cent. and 88.4 per cent. These figures were collated by care consultants, Laing and Buisson, and are based on occupied beds as a percentage of registered beds. Comparative figures for local authority owned homes are not available.
As announced on 17 April by my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, we are increasing the resources for personal social services by an annual average of 6 per cent. in real terms from 2003–04 to 2005–06. Local authorities will be able to use these substantial extra resources to stabilise the care home market.