Oral Answers to Questions

Simon Danczuk Excerpts

Tuesday 28th February 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. We have to be sensitive to the fact that lots of other Members are trying to get in. It is a matter not just of giving the answer but of knowing that other people want to take part. It is a fairly elementary point.

[Simon Danczuk (Rochdale) (Ind)]

9. What discussions his Department has had with the Department for Communities and Local Government on the potential effect on the economy of the level of social care funding.

[The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David Gauke)]

The Treasury regularly discusses social care funding with the Department of Health and the Department for Communities and Local Government. We have introduced a new social care precept and additional grant funding for social care. Taken together, those provide an additional £7.6 billion of dedicated funding for social care over the four years of the current settlement. That means that councils can afford to increase spending on social care every year.

[Simon Danczuk]

The lack of funding for social care is having a devastating impact on people requiring care, carers and workers themselves. The 3% levy raises only £2.8 million for Rochdale. That does not even cover the cost of increasing the minimum wage for care workers. Does the Minister accept that?

[Mr Gauke]

As I say, it is not just about the council tax precept. We also have the better care fund coming in. We should also accept that this is not just about money. There is very variable performance around the country. It is worth pointing out that 50% of the delayed discharges attributed to social care take place in only 24 local authority areas.