§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer to the lion. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey,Official Report, 1 May 1991, columns 249–50, if he will publish a similar table showing the net income at which community charge benefit runs out taking account of the community charge reduction scheme.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe information requested is in the table.
We are aware, however, that some local authorities may have sought to dispose of some or all of their residential homes to the private or voluntary sector in order to enable the residents to qualify under present regulations for the higher level of income support and so to reduce financial support by the local authority. While the Government favour a mixed economy in the provision of care, the balance between voluntary, private and public ownership should be determined by the long-term needs of those needing care rather than by short-term financial considerations.
We therefore intend to introduce as soon as possible amending regulations regarding entitlement to income support in such cases. They will make it clear that the benefit position for existing residents who continue to receive residential care under arrangements made by their local authority remains unchanged by a transfer of ownership.
I understand that at the same time as these regulations come into force, my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Health, for Scotland and for Wales also intend to issue directions to local authorities to make clear the status of residents in a home which is transferred to private ownership by a local authority.
433WThe draft regulations that I have outlined will shortly be considered by the Social Security Advisory Committee. It is our intention that they will take effect at the earliest possible date.