§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of(a) the cost to (i) local authority social services and (ii) North 733W Yorkshire county council social services, of the proposed bed blocking fines and new NI rates and (b) the increase in funding for social services for (i) and (ii). [55028]
§ Jacqui SmithNone. The new approach is about putting in place the right incentives to ensure that people are able to leave hospital as soon as treatment is completed and it is safe for them to do so. Councils that meet their responsibilities in reducing delayed discharges will not be disadvantaged. We will consult on the details of the scheme in due course.