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Care home representatives have slammed fee increases for the registration and inspection of care services from April 2005, announced by community care minister Stephen Ladyman this week.

Nadra Ahmed, chair of the National Care Homes Association, said the increases were "absolutely appalling" and could force some homes to close.

Commission for Social Care Inspection fees are to rise by 20 per cent. Healthcare Commission registration fees will rise by 50 per cent and inspection fee increases will range from 20 to 55 per cent.

Care homes will see their registration fees rise from £1,584 to £1,901, and their annual inspection fees increase from £216 to £259.

Delivering a statement to parliament, Ladyman said the government wanted to move towards recovering the full costs of providing regulations from service providers.