§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on funding for care of the elderly in Buckinghamshire in(a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03. [108487]
§ Jacqui SmithBuckinghamshire has benefited from the increases in social services funding in recent years. In 2002–03, the Buckinghamshire authority's total social services resources increased, on a like for like basis, by 6.2 per cent., which followed on from a 9.1 per cent. increase in 2001–02. Buckinghamshire will also benefit from the extra increases announced for 2003–04. For 607W instance, its social services formula funding share has increased, on a like for like basis, by 13.2 per cent. In addition, there will be substantial additional resources paid through grants by the Department of Health. Most resources are allocated on an unhypothecated basis and it is for the county council to decide how much to allocate to care of the elderly.