§ Paddy TippingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out the criteria by which the money made available in 2002–04 to improve services for older people and speed discharge from hospital was allocated. [27136]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 15 January 2002]All councils received additional funding through the Building Care Capacity Grant. The 55 councils of the highest rates, and the most severe problems, of delayed discharge received extra funding. The extra funding to these councils reflected the rate of delayed discharge in that council's area in summer 2001. These councils will, therefore, be subject to tighter conditions and closer monitoring.
The same criteria were used to distribute the £190 million available for councils through this grant in 2002–03.