§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what his assessment is of the effects of the changes to the calculation of personal social services block formula grant in 1999–2000 on the performance of social services authorities. [67822]
§ Jacqui SmithPersonal social services (PSS) funding is distributed using information about the social care needs of each area, including demographic, physical and social characteristics. The changes to the PSS standard spending assessment formulae in 1999–2000 were made to better reflect those needs. All councils with social services responsibilities have benefited from the increased funding the Government has provided for social care, through the block formula grant, since we came to office. This increased funding has generally enabled councils to provide improved services for their clients.