Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent progress his Department has made on negotiations with the European Commission on state aid relating to financial assistance for social care providers who may have historic sleep-in liabilities; and what contingency plans the Government has made for the failure of such negotiations.

Government officials have made the European Commission aware of the issue, and held an initial meeting with them. This will provide the Government with guidance on how any support, which might be available, could be granted legally within state aid rules.

The Government is exploring options to minimise any impact on the sector and is committed to ensuring that the social care sector is stable, both for those receiving care and for care workers.