§ Mr. Andrew BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of evidence submitted to his Department on the cost of providing care in voluntary and private nursing homes and the level of income support payable to residents in residential and nursing homes.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThe amount of income support payable to people in residential care and nursing homes is 119W subject to national limits and is reviewed every year. We take account of a variety of evidence, including detailed and differing representations from interested organisations and individuals. The evidence is considered along with our own information.
§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the costs of keeping an aged person in(a) a nursing home and (b) in residential care for a year.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardI regret that the figures are not available in the form requested. The information available for May 1989 shows that the estimated total number of people in nursing homes in receipt of income support was 56,000 at an annual cost of £446 million. This gives an estimated average annual expenditure figure on income support of £8,000 per claimant. The estimated total number of people in residential care homes in receipt of income support was 119,000 at an annual cost of £658 million. This gives an estimated average annual expenditure figure on income support of £5,500 per claimant.
These figures do not include payment of other benefits such as retirement pension and attendance allowance which are paid depending on the individual's circumstances in addition to income support.