Dorrell targets care homes

The Government is expected to propose far-reaching reforms to end local authority ownership of homes for children and the elderly.

Stephen Dorrell, the Secretary of State for Health, is to propose in a White Paper in February that the homes should be taken over by a separate agency, with the local authorities left to "purchase" of care of the elderly and children. Whitehall sources stressed it would not mean closing down homes with the loss of thousands of jobs, but those working in such homes will be concerned. Colin Brown