§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what arrangements he is making to accommodate those former elderly residents of private residential homes displaced as a result of the failure to uprate the maximum level of support to cover the cost of keeping such elderly people in private homes;
(2) what is the estimate of the number of elderly people with little or no savings who will be unable to continue to live in private residential homes as a result of the failure to uprate the maximum level of support to cover the cost of keeping such elderly people in private homes.
§ Mr. Peter LloydWe have no evidence to show that people are being displaced from homes. The Department continues to provide significant cash help to people who choose to go into residential care, to help them meet their fees. We aim to assist people to pay reasonable charges.
From this month we are providing extra help to nearly nine out of ten people who claim income support in residential care and nursing homes.