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Social Services: Standards

Asked by Stuart AndersonConservativeDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 10 April 2025UIN 43895

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the capacity of the National Health Service in helping local authorities to improve the social care sector.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock

The National Health Service plays an important role by working collaboratively with local authorities to deliver social care.

Integrated care partnerships bring integrated care boards and partner local authorities together, alongside wider system partners, to agree priorities and take collaborative action to address cross-system challenges, improve outcomes, and reduce inequalities.

The Better Care Fund (BCF) is a framework for integrated care boards and local authorities to make joint plans and pool budgets for the purposes of delivering better joined-up care. The NHS makes a minimum contribution of approximately £5.6 billion to the BCF, which includes funding for social care. This supports local authorities to provide timely and joined-up support for people with more complex health and care needs.

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