(2) what research the Government have commissioned on the long-term care needs of people with learning disabilities.
The Department has commissioned the Personal Social Services Research Unit at the London School of Economics (LSE) to undertake an initial study of the projected future trends in numbers of people with learning disabilities aged 18 to 65, and possible changes to their support arrangements. This is due for completion at the end of July this year and the LSE research team is in discussion with other experts in the field about ways in which a more extensive study could be made of the number, characteristics and needs of this population group. Should this more extensive project be undertaken, it would provide better intelligence of the current and future age profile of the population.