HC Deb 04 February 2004 vol 417 cc743-4
1. Mr. Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight) (Con)

If he will make a statement on the formula funding settlement component for elderly people. [152479]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Phil Hope)

A new formula for older people's social services was introduced this year, 2003–04, following research and wide discussions with interested parties. The new combined older people's formula is a better reflection of the way in which social services are delivered to the elderly.

Mr. Turner

I thank the Minister for that answer. His formula provides Isle of Wight council with £82 a head for old folks' deprivation and Hackney with £568 a head. Before he top-sliced the funding, the objective calculation for those councils, on the new formula to which he referred, was £544 and £1,031 respectively. Why has top-slicing cost old people in Hackney 45 per cent. of their entitlement but those on the Isle of Wight 85 per cent.?

Phil Hope

One criticism from authorities such as Isle of Wight council about the previous residential formula for older people was that it did not take account of the number of people that the authority was supporting in care homes. The new combined formula uses a new population measure calculated to include the number of over-65s resident in households plus the number of residents supported by the local authority. The new formula also includes a series of age and deprivation indicators, such as the numbers of elderly receiving income support or attendance allowance, the number of pensioners in rented accommodation and the number of elderly people with limiting long-term illnesses. That is a very different way of providing resources for local councils such as Isle of Wight, and it drives up council services. I might add that Isle of Wight has received a 7 per cent. increase in next year's grant.

Mr. Tom Harris (Glasgow, Cathcart) (Lab)

Can my hon. Friend tell the House whether any of the formula funding settlement is used to pay for safety features such as sprinklers or smoke detectors in care homes? After the terrible events in Uddingston at the weekend, will his Department propose new measures to improve safety in care homes?

Phil Hope

I thank my hon. Friend for his question. First, may I say that our thoughts are with the families and friends affected by the terrible tragedy at Rosepark nursing home? I have spoken to my right hon. Friend the Member for Hamilton, North and Bellshill (Dr. Reid), who visited the home recently, and to the First Minister of the Scottish Parliament, and I made a written statement on the fire this morning. It is too early to speculate on its cause or on whether a sprinkler system would have prevented any loss of life. However, we will study closely the findings of the investigation now under way, and consider the implications for England and Wales.

I might add that we were already actively investigating the effectiveness of sprinkler systems in tackling fires in residential properties. A report of that work, which is being undertaken by the Building Research Establishment, will be published later this month. Sprinklers may well have a role to play in protecting homes for vulnerable groups such as children, elderly people and people with disabilities.