§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will include in social security benefit payments a sum to cover the costs of home help provision.
§ Mr. NewtonWe have no plans to change the longstanding position that payments are not made where the home help is provided by a local authority. Local authorities have powers to waive charges for such provision in the case of people with low incomes, including people in receipt of supplementary benefit. There is provision in the supplementary benefit scheme to allow additional benefit for the cost of essential domestic help if it is not provided by a local authority.