Communities minister, Baroness Andrews, to-day announced the allocation of £33,000,000 over 2 years from next April to help local councils set up or expand handy person services. The schemes help elderly people by providing mobile staff who will assist with routine maintenance and minor adaptations to help them stay safe and independent at home. Tasks can include fitting grab rails to help people with mobility problems and securing loose stair carpets to prevent falls, and chores, such as clearing gutters that become more hazardous as people get older. Depending on the council policy, the service will be free, or will involve a minimum charge.

Baroness Andrews said it could mean ' the difference between living at home or moving into care'.