1. Davey, V. Ferna´ndez, J-L., Knapp, M., Vick, N., Jolly, D., Swift, P., Tobin, R., Kendall, J., Ferrie, J., Pearson, C., Mercer, G. and Priestley, M. (2007)Direct Payments: A national Survey of Direct Payments Policy and PracticePersonal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU), London School of Economics, found that direct payment rates tend to be pitched at below the ‘going rate’ (ie lower than the average costs of preferred independent sector providers of domiciliary care) in the majority of local authorities in England and Northern Ireland, and in all authorities in Scotland and Wales, it should be noted however that this research was not based on direct payments made in relation to individual or personal budgets and it is not yet known whether they will be regarded in any way differently when part of the personalisation system.