§ Mr. HoramTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about financing for care places in London in the next financial year. [134071]
§ Dr. LadymanThere have been substantial increases in the level of funding provided for social services in London and across England in recent years which local councils can use to increase local provision or to rebalance the care home market and increase fee levels if that is what is needed. Independent researchers, Laing & Buisson recently published research on fees paid to independent sector providers, which shows that fees in the care home sector have increased nationally by an estimated 8 per cent. in 2002–03—well ahead of wages. This is clear independent evidence that care home fees are being increased.
The revenue support grant for London boroughs reflects the higher costs of care in the capital, and this allows these boroughs to pay higher care home fees than local authorities in popular locations in the rest of the South East, especially on the border with London.
Care homes face special challenges, such as high capital overheads, in London and this impacts on cost and availability. In order to meet these challenges London boroughs have developed a range of services to enable greater choice for older people. This is demonstrated by the fact that in London more people are receiving intensive home care packages than in any other region of the country.