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Reform of Social Care

On the hon. Gentleman's point about local government, he should remember that the overwhelming majority of the residents in Southern Cross care homes are funded by local authorities, and that is precisely why we are working with local authorities to ensure that those residents' interests will be protected. I recognise the problems that we have seen with Southern Cross, although I do not know of any other companies that are in a similar position. None the less, it is one of the reasons why we seek the powers in the Health and Social Care Bill to regulate social care provision in the same way as health care provision.