Care Homes: Safety Ratings

Lord Sikka Excerpts

Wednesday 5th February 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

The Secretary of State did indeed say that, and he was right to do so, in the spirit of transparency. The fortnightly meetings which I mentioned will be a constant assessment until we have met the necessary timeframes that are only reasonable to assist people in making decisions. All of that—how might I put it?—deep focus on the CQC will continue. I do not think this will be quick, but it will be thorough.

[Lord Sikka (Lab)]

My Lords, 30% to 40% of public money given to corporate-owned care homes vanishes in profits, leaving little for front-line services. Almost all care homes forcibly closed between 2011 and 2023 were operated by for-profit companies. The Government’s promised crackdown on care home profiteering probably will not even be as effective as that on water companies. What will it take for the Government to recognise that profit and care cannot easily be combined?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

The independent sector, which is not just the private sector but the charitable sector, is an important part of the provider framework. We will continue to work with it to provide the right quality of services for those who need them.