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Nearly half of Welsh local authorities made little or no progress in improving uptake of direct payments last year, figures show.

Of 22 Welsh councils, four - Anglesey, Denbighshire, Monmouthshire and Neath Port Talbot - saw a decline in adults receiving direct payments in 2005-6, while the number in Caerphilly remained static. Five councils had increased uptake by fewer than 10 people.

Although take up in Rhondda Cynon Taff, the Vale of Glamorgan and Ceredigion more than doubled, the figures will worry the Welsh assembly government because promoting direct payments has been a key policy.

Welsh Liberal Democrats health spokesperson Jenny Randerson said she was concerned by the figures, adding: "It's down to the commitment shown by councils: how much they publicise their use and train staff to assist people to offer them."

● Report