§ Mr. MartlewTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals he has to equalise the residential living allowance between local authority residential care homes and private residential care homes; and if he will make a statement. [58664]
§ Angela EagleThe Government have established an independent Royal Commission to consider the future funding of long-term care and to make recommendations. Issues such as benefit provision for people in long-term care fall within the Royal Commission's deliberations. The Royal Commission will report at the end of the year.
164WOfficials in the Department have been asked to consider whether Residential Allowance is meeting the objectives of community care. This is not a formal review with specific terms of reference, and it is too early to give a commitment on whether, or when changes will be introduced.