Independent Residential Care

Lord Mackay of Clashfern Excerpts

Tuesday 7th July 2020 Lords Chamber

[Lord Bethell [V]]

I thank all those who work in the care home sector for the enormous amount of sacrifice and commitment that they have shown to protecting residents. The noble Baroness, I think, portrays the situation unfairly. Guidelines have changed quickly because the situation changed quickly. PPE demand could never have been expected at the levels it reached; the Government responded incredibly quickly to move PPE into both NHS and social care. On testing, we started from a very low base; testing has now been introduced in care homes for both patients and staff. The Government will continue to be committed to protecting both staff and residents in the care sector.

[Lord Mackay of Clashfern (Con) [V]]

My Lords, is the money that the Government give to local authorities for social care ring-fenced for that purpose?

[Lord Bethell [V]]

My Lords, the money that my noble friend refers to is not currently ring-fenced. Local authorities have been written to, to explain that the money should be prioritised for Covid—but, at the request of the local authorities themselves, the money was not ring-fenced.