HC Deb 04 February 2002 vol 379 cc754-5W
Mr. Reed

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make it his policy to increase the expense allowance for pensioners living in old people's homes. [30383]

Jacqui Smith

I have been asked to reply.

Decisions on the level of the personal expenses allowance for people in residential care to apply from April 2002 will be announced shortly.

Mr. Reed

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the number of pensioners in the Loughborough constituency living in old people's homes on with an expense allowance of less than £16.05 per week. [30382]

Jacqui Smith

I have been asked to reply.

We have not commissioned research into the number of pensioners in the Loughborough constituency living in old people's homes on a personal expense allowance of less than £16.05 per week. Under the Charging for Residential Accommodation Guide, all care home residents who are financially supported by the local council are left with a personal expenses allowance of at least £16.05 per week.

Mr. Reed

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what guidance he has given to local authorities on the provision of expense allowances to pensioners living in care. [30385]

Jacqui Smith

I have been asked to reply.

Guidance on the personal expenses allowance is issued to councils in the charges for residential accommodation guide. The Department is in the process of updating this guidance.