§ Mr. PickthallTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment for what reasons the number of places in private residential homes is included in the standard spending assessment formula for elderly residential social services; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Robin SquireThe standard spending assessment element for residential social services for the elderly includes an indicator (with a negative weight) based on the numbers of residents in independent, registered residential homes to take some account of the fact that private and voluntary provision has become an increasingly important alternative to local authority supported care in some areas. Where residents receive extra support from DSS benefits this represents a cost saving to the local authority.