Direct Payments

Jon Trickett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in (a) England, (b) Yorkshire and the Humber and (c) Wakefield District have requested direct payments (i) for care provision for themselves and (ii) as a carer. (223767)

Table 1 shows the number of clients (aged 18 and over) receiving direct payments. Information is shown for England, for Yorkshire and the Humber region and for Wakefield council with Adult Social Services Responsibilities between 1 April 2006 and 31 March 2007. Table 2 shows the number of carers (aged 16 or over) receiving direct payments for carer’s services at 31 March 2007. There is no information available on the numbers of people requesting direct payments.

*Table 1: Number of clients aged 18 and over receiving direct payments 2006-07*
	Rounded numbers
England	48,000

Yorkshire and the Humber	3,800

Wakefield	235
Source: RAP proforma P2f

The England and Regional totals are estimates based on the figures from 150 P2f proformas received.

*Table 2: Number of carers aged 16 and over receiving direct payments at 31 March 2007*
	Rounded numbers
England¹	5,200

Yorkshire and the Humber²	170

Wakefield	³—
¹ Actual figures—19 councils in England did not submit data. ² Actual figures—one council in Yorkshire and the Humber did not submit data. ³ Data less than six. Source: PSSEX1

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether a (a) carer and (b) care receiver is classified as an employer when receiving direct care payments and using them to secure the care services of other professionals; what legislation governs carers and care receivers in these circumstances; and if he will make a statement; (223768)

(2) what sources of assistance are available to carers and care receivers who decide not to apply for direct payments;

(3) what (a) targets and (b) guidelines there are for the period of time between a carer or care receiver making a request for direct payments and that request being implemented.

Both a care receiver and carer in receipt of direct payments are classified as employers when using the payments to secure the services of other professionals. They would have all the legal responsibilities of an employer and would need to ensure that they are aware of and comply with these responsibilities.

Councils should make it clear that a person does not have to receive direct payments. If a carer or care receiver decide not to have direct payments, their local council has an obligation to meet their needs, therefore the local council remains responsible for providing or arranging the provision of services they are assessed as needing. They should also discuss with people who are to receive direct payments what they should do if they no longer wish to receive direct payments.

The Department has not set any targets or deadlines for the period of time between a carer or care receiver making a request for direct payments and that request being implemented. This would be a local decision.

Volume 480: debated on Wednesday 8 October 2008