HC Deb 06 February 2001 vol 362 cc508-9W
30. Mrs. Ellman

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the growth of social services funding for community care. [147359]

34. Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the recent trend in the level of funding for personal social services. [147363]

Mr. Hutton

The resources provided for personal social services, including those provided for community care, have increased substantially in recent years and will continue to grow in real terms over the next three years. Last year (1999–2000) the level of resources provided for social services increased in real terms by 3.8 per cent. they increased by a further 3.5 per cent. this year (2000–01), and will continue to rise by, on average, a further 3.4 per cent. per annum over the next three years (2001–02 to 2003–04). It is for councils to decide how much of these additional resources should be used for community care taking account of local circumstances and priorities.