§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what estimates have been made of the resident elderly population of Somerset county council area in each financial year from 1997–98 to 2002–03;
(2) what information he has collated on the numbers of retired people of pensionable age (a) living in and (b) living away from their home area who enter supported residential care; [25856]
(3)what estimates have been made of the number of (a) elderly supported residents and (b) elderly people living in private households in Somerset county council area in each financial year from 1997–98 to 2002–03. [25856]
§ Dr. WhiteheadThe following table provides the information requested.
(a) Elderly supported residents in residential and nursing care on: Number 31 March 1997 1,993 31 March 1998 2,174 31 March 1999 2,211 31 March 2000 2,092 31 March 2001 2,455
(b) Elderly population: (i) total residents (ii) residents in private households Mid 1997 93,851 88,954 Mid 1998 94,657 89,718 Mid 1999 95,242 90,272 Mid 2000 95,945 90,939 Source
(a) Department of Health statistical return SRI
(b)(i) ONS mid year population estimates; (ii) ONS mid year population estimates adjusted by the proportion of total residents that are in private households as recorded in the 1991 Census
In the case of population data, the estimates for 2000 are the latest available, and are used in the 2002–03 local government finance settlement. The number of residents in private households is estimated in the same way as for the standard spending assessment formula for elderly residential social services, by assuming that the proportion of total residents in private households is the same as that recorded in the 1991 Census. The figures for the number of supported residents are the actual numbers reported by authorities to the Department of Health rather than estimates. The figure for March 2001 is the latest available. As part of the same data return, the Department of Health collects information on the numbers of supported residents that each local authority is supporting outside their own local authority area. The information can be broken down by age, so those of pensionable age could be specifically identified
§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) for what reason the standard spending assessments for 2002–03 were not calculated by reference to the total elderly residential population in each local authority area; what plans his Department has to revise the method of calculation; and if he will make a statement; [25854]
1060W(2) what steps his Department plans to take to develop a single standard spending assessment distribution formula that covers the residential and domiciliary care of elderly people; [25855]
(3) how the formula to estimate the number of elderly supported residents in local authority areas has operated in each financial year between 1997–98 and 2002–03; what assessment he has made of its effectiveness for (a) England, (b) London boroughs, (c) Shire counties and (d) Somerset; and if he will make a statement. [25859]
§ Dr. WhiteheadThe methodology underpinning the standard spending assessment (SSA) formulae has been unchanged since 1999–2000. The formula for residential services was changed in 1999–2000 so that it is based on the elderly population in private households (prior to this it was based on the total resident population). The population in private households excludes the population that is already in institutional care. Some residents that are in residential care in each authority area are funded by other authorities. If they were included in the formula, they would count towards the authority in which they are placed, even though another authority is bearing the cost.
Other arguments that have been made in favour of the change are that the research on which the formula is based considered the characteristics of those in private households about to enter care (and not those already in care), and that the formula should therefore be on the same basis. The number of people in residential care in an authority is also partly dependent on local policy variation, and an objective formula should not reflect this. In estimating the relative number of potential supported residents in each area, the formula gives more weight to elderly people aged 85 plus and aged 75–84 than those aged 65–74. The formula also takes account of differences in deprivation between areas. The following indicators have been used since 1998–99:
- Elderly on income support
- Pensioners in rented accommodation
- Pensioners living alone
- Elderly with limiting long-term illness
- Elderly on attendance allowance or disability living allowance
- Pensioners not in a couple and not a head of household.
In 1997–98 the formula only used indicators of rented accommodation, limiting long-term illness, and a measure of independent sector provision
The White Paper "Strong Local Leadership—Quality Public Services" sets out our assessment of the effectiveness of the SSA system. Our assessment focuses on systemic weakness that apply to all authorities rather than issues for individual authorities or groupings of authorities. We have concluded that there are significant limitations, including complexity and the use of SSAs as a measure of "spending need". That is why we have decided to replace SSAs with a new formula-based approach that will be fairer and more intelligible. These new formulae will take effect in 2003–04. We are actively working with local government to develop the new system, and a number of research projects have been set in hand in order to inform the work. This includes a project commissioned by the Department of Health from the University of Kent in order to look at the possibility of a single formula for elderly domiciliary and residential care.
1061WThis work is still at the early stages and we have yet to take a view on the best way forward. We will be consulting widely before taking final decisions.
§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what resources were allocated, per head, to meet the needs of the elderly population in each local authority area in England in the latest year for which figures are available. [25851]
§ Dr. WhiteheadDTLR allocates grant to local authorities based on the standard spending assessment (SSA) formulae. There are two SSA formulae focused on the needs of elderly people: the formula for elderly residential and the formula for domiciliary social services. Details of each authority's elderly domiciliary and residential SSA per person aged over 65 have been placed in the Libraries of the House. The figures are for the provisional local government finance settlement for 2002–04
There are other services provided by local government to elderly people, including cultural and leisure services. These other formulae are based on figures for the population as a whole, and it is not possible to identify an element specific to the elderly without making crude assumptions.
It should be noted that the SSAs are not equal to the actual level of grant provided to local authorities by central Government. This is a lower figure that recognises authorities ability to raise resources through council tax and their share of national non-domestic rates. The actual level of general grant support provided for individual services is not identified, and is a matter for individual authorities to decide.