Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Helen Goodman

Main Page: Helen Goodman (Labour - Bishop Auckland)

Oral Answers to Questions

Helen Goodman Excerpts
Monday 16th January 2017

(7 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Andrew Percy Portrait Andrew Percy
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This is an important point—the issue has affected my constituency—and one that I am happy to discuss further with the Treasury. The business rate revaluation will have a positive impact on retail property in my hon. Friend’s constituency, as it will across many parts of the north and midlands.

Helen Goodman Portrait Helen Goodman (Bishop Auckland) (Lab)
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8. What steps he is taking to ensure that adult social care is adequately funded.

Marcus Jones Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Mr Marcus Jones)
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We recognise the pressures faced by the social care system. On top of the funding that we announced in 2015, which will deliver nearly £3.5 billion a year by 2019-20, we are providing an additional £900 million over the next two years for social care.

Helen Goodman Portrait Helen Goodman
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Unfortunately, Durham has already had to make £55 million-worth of cuts. The precept will bring in £4 million, but another £40 million of cuts are in the pipeline. Some villages will face private contractors being unable to afford to provide any social care whatsoever. May I suggest that the Minister go back to the Treasury and ask for another announcement on 8 March?

Marcus Jones Portrait Mr Jones
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The hon. Lady will know that Durham will benefit from the additional £900 million to which the Government are giving local authorities access over the next two years. It will also significantly benefit from the improved better care fund, which is £105 million this year, £825 million the following year and £1.5 billion in the last year of this Parliament.