§ Mr. AmessTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether the preserved right benefits of persons living in independent sector residential homes can be reduced as a result of topping up payments from a local authority; and what plans she has to change the current rules. [49996]
§ Mr. Keith BradleyLocal authorities are permitted to top up Income Support paid to people with preserved rights only in cases where a person was receiving local authority topping up payments on 31 March 1993, is under pension age, or is in residential care and either facing eviction from the home or is resident of a home which is about to close. Such top-up payments have no effect on the amount of Income Support paid. We have no plans to change the rules on the treatment of such payments.