§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information he has on the extent to which the levels of charges in private residential and nursing homes require current Departments of Health and Social Security allowances to be topped up by social services departments; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter LloydLocal authorities are not required to top up income support payments for people in independent residential care homes. Where the charge for someone in a home exceeds the amount of the appropriate income support limit for help with fees, local authorities have discretionary powers to top up the balance of the charge for people under pension age. These powers do not extend to people in nursing homes. Information is not therefore available in the form requested.