Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to ensure that care homes do not close as a result of the recent ruling on pay during sleep-in shifts.

The Government recognises the pressure that sleep-in liabilities may place on care providers and is exploring options to minimise any impact on the social care sector.

As in any market there are inevitable entries and exits of care organisations, but the Government is committed to ensuring that the social care sector is stable, both for those receiving care and for care workers.

We have given local authorities in England an extra £2 billion over the next three years to maintain access for our growing aging population and allow councils to sustain a diverse care market including care home places.

In addition the Government has announced we will consult on plans to improve the social care system and to put it on a more secure financial footing.