§ Sir David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received from voluntary and charitable bodies as to the effect the introduction of limits on the amount of board and lodging supplementary benefit payments to people living in residential care has had on the voluntary sector's ability to provide residential care to elderly and disabled people.
§ Mr. NewtonThere have always been limitations to the amount of supplementary benefit that can be paid to people in residential care homes. Prior to 29 April 1985 there were locally based limits; since that date the limits have been determined centrally and the rates apply nationwide.
We have received a copy of the National Council of Voluntary Organisations' report on the operation of the new structure of limits. Representations have also been received from individual voluntary organisations. The report and the representations are being considered in the context of the current review of limits together with information from a management consultant's study on homes' costs and charges and the Department's own monitoring of the new structure.