The Government had good intentions when it applied tough restrictions on the owners of care homes.

It wanted to ensure there were good standards in all homes for the thousands of elderly people who live in them.

But many home owners who were unable or unwilling to comply with them gave up and sold their businesses.

Many were encouraged by the fact they could get a lot of money for their properties on a rising housing market.

The good news for care home owners is the Government has become more flexible, especially towards owners of old buildings who have found the most difficulty in complying with the new rules.

Unhappily, it has all come too late for the scores of homes in Sussex that have closed already, causing misery for the elderly and leading to bed-blocking in hospitals.