§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what allowance has been made for meeting the shortfall between benefits and charges for residential care in the arrangements for community care funding with effect from April.
§ Mr. YeoThe £140 million additional finance for community care above the £399 million transfer from social security will ensure that all authorities will be able to purchase appropriate care for people under their new responsibilities. The cost of care to individual authorities will depend on their success in obtaining good contract terms with care homes and in providing non residential services for people who could be better cared for at home.