Secretary of State confirms government intends to renew provision for easement of local authority duties to assess and meet care needs

House of Commons votes in favour of renewing temporary provisions within the Coronavirus Act 2020 by 330 votes to 24

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock has confirmed that the government intends to renew provision for easement of local authority duties to assess and meet care needs.

Introducing a motion in the House of Commons yesterday to renew the temporary provisions of the Coronavirus Act 2020, Mr Hancock said - 

'The Act is still needed to keep people safe. I understand that these are extraordinary measures, but they remain temporary, time-limited and proportionate to the threat that we face.'

Questioned specifically about Schedule 12 of the Act - that relates to local authority Care Act duties to assess and meet care and support needs being replaced with a power to meet those needs during the COVID-19 pandemic - Mr Hancock confirmed - 

'Yes, we are renewing that schedule, because it is very important for ensuring that we prioritise care for those who need it most ... I believe that the way the Act has worked has, overall, improved access to care for people both in hospital and in our social care system, which has, of course, been an area of great scrutiny throughout the pandemic.'

The motion was passed by 330 votes to 24.

The debate on the Coronavirus Act 2020 (Review of Temporary Provisions) is available from Hansard.