§ Mr. Andrew BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he intends to take to increase financial support over and above the income support limits announced in his recent upratings statement to allow elderly people in private residential and nursing homes to meet the full costs of their care.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThe income support limits are set at levels which cover the fees in a majority of homes. It has never been the intention that social security payments should be available to cover whatever fees homes choose to charge, and we have no plans to change that.