Southern Cross collapse could be repeated

Market analysts Laing & Buisson warned the action by councils could see more operators of residential care homes for the elderly forced into administration thanks to ever-tightening margins. Its research revealed the majority of local authorities across England have frozen or reduced the amount they pay for care home placements for 2011/12. Although some authorities in Wales and Scotland have increased the amount they pay, this has only resulted in an average 0.3% rise nationwide, far short of the 2.8% estimated that was needed by providers simply to keep pace with care home cost infl...