§ Lord Monkswellasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the future levels of regulatory fees for residential care homes and nursing homes. [HL1348]
§ The Minister of State, Department of Health (Baroness Jay of Paddington)The Department of Health received 189 replies to the consultation document on increasing regulatory fees for residential care homes and nursing homes issued on 19 January. One hundred and six respondents agree that fees should be increased, although many of these felt that the proposed increases were insufficient. Of the other respondents, 80 felt the proposed increases were excessive and the remaining three did not express an opinion about the level of increases.
Having considered the responses carefully, we have decided that fees should be increased as proposed in the consultation document with effect from 1 May 1998. We will be laying the necessary regulations before Parliament to bring these increases into effect.