§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the reasons why individuals on invalidity and sick benefit are entitled to claim re-imbursement for travel to health service day centres but not to local authority day centres.
§ Mr. YeoI have been asked to reply.
There are statutory arrangements to provide help with the travelling expenses necessarily incurred by National Health Service patients on income support, family credit or low income when they attend a hospital for treatment, including attendance at day hospitals. Local authorities have discretion to charge for the day and domiciliary services they provide, including transport to day centres. In doing so they should have regard to the service user's means and ability to pay.