§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how, from 31 March 1991, an increase in the weekly charge for independent nursing home or residential care home fees will affect the benefit entitlement of an income support claimant with preserved rights(a) if the claimant is already receiving the maximum permitted under the ceiling for that category of care and (b) if the amount the claimant is receiving towards the care element is below the ceiling payment for that category;
(2) on what basis the ceiling payments for care support in respect of income support claimants in residential accommodation with preserved rights from 31 March 1991 will be increased;
(3) how the preserved rate of income support will be calculated for residents in residential care homes or nursing homes on 31 March 1991.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThe Government intend to preserve the present scheme of special income support limits for existing claimants who are resident in most homes when the new funding structure is introduced on 1 April 1991. As now, under those arrangements there will be limits to the level of benefit available for different types of care; those whose fees are at or below the limit will have their charges met in full. Existing arrangements for reviewing the level of the limits will continue.
345W
§ Ms. HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a table showing the value of income support in 1990 for(a) a single person aged under 25 years, (b) a single person aged over 25 years, (c) a lone parent over 18 years with a child under 11 years, (d) a couple over 18 years with two children under 11 years and (e) a pensioner as a percentage of estimated (i) average net male earnings and (ii) average net male manual earnings.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardEstimates cannot be provided for 1990–91 until the earnings figures for April 1990 are known.