Care Homes (Hansard, 24 November 1992)

§ Mr. Burt

The administration of income support is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and a copy will be placed in the Library.

Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. David Hinchliffe, dated 23 November 1992:

As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to the points raised in your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the number of claimants currently receiving Income Support (a) towards the cost of residence in a care or nursing home within the Wakefield Metropolitan District and (b) from Benefits Agency offices within the Wakefield Metropolitan District towards the cost of residence in a care or nursing home outside that district.

The complete range of information you requested is not available except at disproportionate cost. This is because the 604W information is not routinely collected by the Benefits Agency. However, a one-off exercise was conducted in the Wakefield Metropolitan District in July 1992. At that time there were 1,055 customers receiving Income Support towards the cost of residential care or nursing home accommodation in the Wakefield Metropolitan District. Those Income Support customers in residential care or nursing homes outside the Wakefield Metropolitan District are dealt with by the appropriate Benefits Agency Office.

I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy of this reply will appear in the Official Report. Copies are also being placed in the Library.