§ Mr. John GarrettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans to introduce a dietary allowance for social security claimants who are kidney dialysis patients and have to have a special diet.
§ Miss WiddecombeWe have no plans to do so. I am advised that the dietary regime which kidney dialysis patients may be advised to follow need not result in any additional costs.
§ Mr. John GarrettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans to introduce an 291W additional heating allowance for social security claimants who undergo kidney dialysis at home and have to keep their houses at a constant temperature.
§ Miss WiddecombePeople who undergo kidney dialysis at home are able to qualify for attendance allowance under special rules. This is currently worth at least £27.80 a week. In addition, attendance allowance attracts the disability, or higher pensioner, premium in income support, housing benefit and community charge benefit and is normally disregarded in the calculation of those benefits. We have no plans to introduce any further allowances for this group.