§ Dr. StoateTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to amend regulations to allow the regular outgoings of a family with a disabled child to be taken into consideration by local authorities when they are determining the level of the family's contribution towards a disabled facilities grant to adapt the family home. [145523]
§ Keith HillThe legislative provisions governing the Disabled Facilities Grant means test are set out in the Housing Renewal Grants Regulations 1996. These are reviewed annually to reflect changes in the cost of living and other allowances taken into account in the test. The latest such review took effect last October through the Housing Renewal Grants (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2003.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is also reviewing the DFG programme, including the operation of the means test, in the context of the Spending Review 2004 and will announce its conclusions later this year.