Written question asked by Tim Loughton (Conservative) on Friday, 23 January 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 29 January 2004. It was answered by Stephen Ladyman (Labour) on Thursday, 29 January 2004 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to ensure that there are adequate care home beds available (a) now and (b) in the future in Worthing; and what mechanisms he will employ to ensure that the care homes receive sufficient fees to care for their residents. - Inc figures.

Answer: Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ensure that there are adequate care home beds available (a) now and (b) in the future in Worthing; and what mechanisms he will employ to ensure that the care homes receive sufficient fees to care for their residents. [151293] Dr. Ladyman: The Government have made available substantial increases in the level of funding provided for social services in recent years. Between 1996-97 and 2002-03, the overall level of funding has increased by 20 per cent., an average real terms annual increase of around three per cent. We intend to further increase resources to social services for personal social services by an annual average of six per cent, in real terms from 2003-04 to 2005-06. Local councils should use these extra resources to determine a range of care options, including residential care places that are needed locally. This information should then inform their commissioning strategies and decisions. It is for each council to decide what should be the level of fees paid for care services, in the light of local needs and circumstances.

Secondary information