§ 9. Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he last met representatives of Age Concern to discuss income support payments to older people.
§ Mr. HagueMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security met representatives of Age Concern last February. I also met Age Concern representatives in July last year.
§ Mr. HinchliffeIs the Minister aware that several voluntary organisations concerned with older people are worried that a number of income support claimants are wrongly placed in residential care and nursing homes? In view of the ombudsman's recent report on Leeds healthcare, what steps are being taken by the Department to review cases independently of people in residential and nursing care homes, to ensure that they actually need that form of care when they receive payments from the Department—people with preserved status?
§ Mr. HagueThe hon. Gentleman raises an important point. We will certainly study the report that he mentions and other reports on the matter.
§ Mr. StreeterIs my hon. Friend aware that what my elderly and retired constituents really want is certainty of income, particularly in these days of very low interest rates? When will the guaranteed income bonds be available, so that my constituents can have the benefit of the granny bonds to which they are looking forward?
§ Mr. HagueMy hon. Friend raises a matter on which my colleagues in the Treasury are expert—whether the bonds are available shortly or available already.