Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 6.1 of the Spring Budget 2017, what steps he plans to take to ensure that the £2 billion for social care will be delivered to frontline services and not subsumed by other council expenditure.

The Government is clear that the £2 billion announced on 8 March for social care must be spent only for the purpose of meeting adult social care needs, including reducing pressures on the NHS, supporting more people to be discharged from hospital when they are ready, and ensuring that the local social care provider market is supported. The money will be provided as a grant to councils with conditions attached to ensure it is spent for this purpose.