§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average fee paid per week by each local social services department to private care homes for clients in(a) nursing and (b) residential care was in 2002, broken down by local authority in England; and what the average costs were for self-funders. [89695]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 14 January 2003]: Information regarding the average fee paid per week by each social services department and the average fee paid by self-funders is not kept centrally. The setting of fee levels by local councils is a matter for local decision. Councils must take into account a range of factors and market conditions when negotiating fee levels. Fee levels for self-funders is a matter negotiated between the home and the individual requiring care or their representative.