Written question asked by Stephen O'Brien (Conservative) on Tuesday, 30 March 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 6 April 2010. It was answered by Barbara Follett (Labour) on Wednesday, 7 April 2010 on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Local Government Finance: Home Care Services

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the Personal Care at Home Bill's compliance with the new burdens doctrine for local authorities.

Answer: As with all policies and programmes the Government are committed to assessing the costs to local authorities of the Personal Care at Home Bill. This will be funded through a combination of additional grant and from local authority efficiency savings and will only be introduced from April 2011.It is right for local government to help central Government deliver this new commitment. We believe that councils can implement efficiency savings because:"the costs of delivering local services has fallen, with recent low levels of inflation and affordable pay settlements;""Budget 2010 announced new measures to free-up local resources by reducing burdens and targets and making reductions in ring-fencing;""we have made record amounts of investment in local government, with councils receiving £8.6 billion more over the current spending review period."

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 508 c1402-3W; 325755
Session: 2009-10
Subjects: Home care services Local government finance Local government services
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk