§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on funding for the care of the elderly in Buckinghamshire. [12390]
§ Jacqui SmithI recognise the importance of ensuring that appropriate health and social services are available for older people. Buckinghamshire health authority's spending on packages of care for older people has risen significantly year on year for the past three years. Spending on older people's services within Buckinghamshire social services department is slightly above the average spent on other client groups. The joint review of social services, carried out by the social services inspectorate and the Audit Commission, will be reviewing Buckinghamshire shortly.
On 9 October, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced £300 million extra funding for local authorities to tackle bed blocking. Buckinghamshire was recognised as a local authority needing extra help and this year was given over £700,000 from that extra funding.