Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between George Freeman and John Stevenson

Tuesday 5th January 2016 Commons Chamber

[George Freeman]

This is the most extraordinary welcome for one of the most important announcements in the autumn statement. Having come under pressure to raise more money for social care, the Chancellor and the Secretary of State announced £3.5 billion extra for social care, from the new adult social care precept and the better care fund. The Opposition say that it is not enough and that it will fail, but the data do not support that. If we look at the early data from the better care fund, which was introduced by this Government early last year, we see 85,000 fewer delayed transfers, 12,500 more older people at home within three months of discharge and 3,000 people supported to live independently. We are making real progress.

[John Stevenson (Carlisle) (Con)]

6. What progress his Department has made on improving the performance of hospital trusts in special measures.