Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Ward and Danny Alexander

Tuesday 14th May 2013 Commons Chamber

[Danny Alexander]

The right hon. Gentleman talks of having the wrong solutions and the wrong priorities. That appears to be the verdict of many of his colleagues on his own approach as shadow Chancellor. I note that the former science Minister Lord Sainsbury has said:

“In retrospect the Labour government should have used the opportunity of a strongly growing economy to reduce the deficit.”

That would have reduced pressure on the Labour Government, but we are reducing the deficit now. I also note that The Sun quotes an anonymous shadow Cabinet Member as saying:

“Balls is a busted flush when it comes to economic competence because of his legacy with Gordon.”

I could not have put it better myself.

[Mr David Ward (Bradford East) (LD)]

T2. A recurring theme of yesterday’s debate on health and social care was the growing demand for social care against a background of declining resources. What commitments will the Chief Secretary make to provide extra funding for adult social care in the June comprehensive spending review?

[Danny Alexander]

That is an important question. My hon. Friend will have seen the statements published today by the Minister of State, Department of Health, our hon. Friend the Member for North Norfolk (Norman Lamb), and we will address the issue seriously in the spending round. I am not going to pre-announce what we will do, but my hon. Friend will know that in the 2010 spending round we ensured that additional resources amounting to £7.2 billion were available over four years to support social care services. If we are to deal with these important issues while also reducing the strain on the national health service, further such transfers will clearly be necessary.