HC Deb 08 July 1988 vol 136 c779W
Mr. Cartwright

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received about the impact of housing benefit changes on widows; and what has been his response.

Mr. Portillo

We have received a considerable number of representations on behalf of widows and other groups. The Government responded on 27 April by announcing that the housing benefit capital limit would be raised from £6,000 to £8,000 and that transitional help would be

Date of change Enactment of Statutory Instrument The change
9 August 1972 National Insurance Act 1972 Introduced the lower rate of allowance for attendance needs by day or night (implemented in stages depending upon the disabled person's date of birth)
22 March 1979 Social Security Act 1979 Enabled people undergoing renal dialysis treatment at home to satisfy the criteria for the lower rate allowance
31 August 1987 Social Security (Attendance Allowance) Amendment Regulations 1987 Extended the lower rate allowance to people dialysing in hospital self-care units
15March 1988 Social Security Act 1988 Amended the criterion for people in need of watching over at night because their disabilities pose a risk of substantial danger to themselves or others (in order to return the law to the position before the Court of Appeal decision in the Moran case)

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