Additional funding through the Improved Better Care Fund has helped more than 90% of councils increase fees paid to external care providers, according to analysis by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
A survey of councils by the department found that on average, local authorities reported that home care fee rates would increase by 4.3% while age 65+ residential and nursing home fee rates would rise by 4.9% and 4.7% respectively when compared to 2018- 19.
The department said the rises compare with a 4.9% April 2019 increase in the National Living Wage from £7.83 to £8.21 per hour, and 1.7% CPIH inflation in the 12 months to September 2019.
