CARE HOME FUNDING

That this House notes that many nursing care homes received below-inflation funding increases from local authorities for 2006-07; further notes that the national minimum wage increased last year by 4.1 per cent. and is due to increase by 5.9 per cent. this year; recognises the dramatic increases in non-staff costs at care homes such as electricity, gas and council tax; further notes that these cost increases must be fully absorbed by nursing care home owners with no corresponding increase in fee levels; is concerned at reports that many care home owners could be driven out of business as a result of these cost pressures thereby causing personal distress to residents and their relatives as well as putting further pressure on the limited available supply; and calls on the Government to ensure adequate funding to local authorities for the provision of care home places.