Carers (Hansard, 20 November 1984)

§ Mr. Ashley
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the total number of people who regularly care for a disabled, sick or frail relative at home; and how many of them receive the invalid care allowance.

§ Mr. Newton
At 30 September 1984, the latest date for which figures are available, 9,510 men and single women were in receipt of invalid care allowance for caring for a severely disabled person in receipt of attendance allowance for 35 hours or more a week. We have no information on which to base a reliable estimate of the 123W numbers of relatives who are caring for people but who do not satisfy the conditions for invalid care allowance, or who might qualify and do not claim.

§ Mr. Ashley
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the number of children under the age of 18 years who regularly care for a disabled, sick or frail relative at home.

§ Mr. Newton
We are not aware of any information which would enable a reliable estimate to be made.

§ Mr. Ashley
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the saving to the state by people who care for (a) elderly, (b) disabled, (c) sick and (d) frail relatives at home; and what is the total paid each year since its inception of the invalid care allowance.

§ Mr. Newton
The cost of caring for an elderly, sick, disabled or frail person in the community varies considerably according to the extent of the services which may be required. It is not possible therefore to say whether, in general, the cost of community care as opposed to hospital or residential care is more or less expensive. The benefit cost of invalid care allowance in each year since it was introduced is as follows:

Year Cost £ million

1976–77 2

1977–78 3

1978–79 4

1979–80 4

1980–81 5

1981–82 6

1982–83 8

1983–84 10

1984–85 ^*11

^* Estimate.

§ Mr. Ashley
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what financial assistance his Department gives to the Association of Carers.

§ Mr. John Patten
The Department has made grants to the association under section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 since 1982–83. £14,500 was paid last year and a grant of £20,000 has been approved for this financial year. Although this year's grant was not approved until November, interim payments of £5,000 were made in June and October.

Year	Cost £ million
1976–77	2
1977–78	3
1978–79	4
1979–80	4
1980–81	5
1981–82	6
1982–83	8
1983–84	10
1984–85	^*11
^* Estimate.