Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions his Department has had with local authorities in order to estimate the total sleep-in back pay liability for care providers.

The Government recognises the pressures these liabilities are placing on providers of social care, and we are exploring options to minimise any impact on the sector. This includes engaging with stakeholders such as the Local Government Association and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services.

The Government has commissioned market analysis to assess the impact on the sector, however this forms part of the evidence base that is being used to assess options and is subject to further analysis and refinement.