Commissioning social care services is a matter for local authorities who are best placed to understand the needs of local people and communities, and how best to meet them. The Department therefore has no plans to discuss with Derbyshire County Council its proposals to close a number of direct care homes for older people, including Ladycross Care Home. We therefore have also not made an assessment of the impact of these closures on the health and well-being of residents, or of suitable alternatives for residents. The Department does support local authorities by funding a number of sector-led improvement activities. These are delivered in partnership with the Local Government Association and Association of Directors of Adult Social Services. In addition, we are providing councils with access to an additional £1.0 billion for adults and children’s social care next year through the new social care grant and the ability to raise over £500 million from the additional 2% precept. This is on top of £2.5 billion of existing grants provided by the Government. Derbyshire County Council is set to receive an additional £15.7 million from the new Social Care Grant and could raise up to £7.5 million of additional funding specifically for adult social care in 2020-21 through the precept.