§ Mr. EtheringtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures his Department is taking to ensure that local authorities monitor the effect of changes to charging policies for day and domiciliary care service take-up and use. [8509]
§ Mr. BoatengCurrently local authorities are not required to keep the Department informed about their charging policies, nor when they introduce charging for the first time or when revising their charges.
Local authorities are, however, expected to monitor the effect of charges themselves as suggested in the Advice Note issued by the Social Services Inspectorate in January 1994.