To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she next plans to review the implementation by local authorities of (a) the statutory guidance for deafblind children and adults and (b) section 7 of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 on fair access to care services; and if she will make a statement. (81073)

There are no plans to review the implementation by local authorities of the statutory guidance for deafblind children and adults. It is the responsibility of councils to identify the number of deafblind people in their area.

There are no plans to review the implementation by local authorities of fair access to care services (FACS), which is published as statutory guidance under section 7 of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970.

As part of the consultation on the adult social care Green Paper “Independence, Well-being and Choice”, we asked for views on the impact on FACS of shifting the balance of services from high-level need to earlier, preventative interventions. Following analysis of consultation, we believe that FACS is compatible with a preventative approach to social care.