§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to give local authorities powers to provide direct payments for carers over the age of 16 years. [110667]
§ Mr. HuttonOn 4 February, the Government were pleased to support at Second Reading the Bill promoted by my hon. Friend the Member for Stalybridge and Hyde (Mr. Pendry), the Carers and Disabled Children Bill. The Bill empowers local authorities in England and Wales to make direct payments to carers over the age of 16 years for the services that meet their own assessed needs.