§ Mr. Kevin HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what provisions she proposes to make to establish the amount of social security transfer to local authorities for community care that will be made available from April 1993 onwards following the disbanding of the Algebra group.
§ Mr. YeoThe social security transfer will be calculated in accordance with the formula, and the factors affecting it, which were the subject of the completed discussions in the so-called "Algebra group". The transfer will be announced in the context of this year's local authority expenditure settlement. It will be transparent, separately identifiable and local authorities and others with an interest will be able to see how the calculations were done.
§ Mr. Kevin HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the effect of financial considerations on the ability of local authorities to implement the Children Act 1989 and the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990.
§ Mr. YeoPersonal social services—PSS—standard spending for 1992–93 has been set at £4,850 million, an increase of 7.7 per cent—3.1 per cent. in real terms—over 1991–92 standard spending, and 6 per cent. higher than 1991–92 budgets. Over the two years 1990–91 to 1992–93, PSS standard spending will have increased by nearly one third—19 per cent. in real terms. The settlement provides a realistic increase in resources for PSS taking account of falling inflation, and allows for the first full year costs of implementing the Children Act, phase 2 of community care, new and increased specific grants, inflation and demography. PSS expenditure has increased by 67 per cent. in real terms since 1978–79.
§ Mr. Kevin HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what extra funds she will grant to health authorities in order that community health services. including district nurses, collaborate with local authorities in implementing care in the community.
§ Mr. YeoDistrict health authorities are working with social services departments to develop strategies for the 683W provision of community health services. Health authorities are already funded for their responsibilities, including preparation for implementing "Caring for People" in April 1993. Resources for 1993–94 will be determined in the public expenditure survey in the usual way. Regional health authorities, when allocating these resources to districts and GP fund holders, will take account of special needs resulting from agreed plans for collaboration between national health service and local authority staff.