HC Deb 26 October 1992 vol 212 cc492-3W
Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will estimate the number and proportion of residents in residential homes who are denied pocket money for personal needs because it is subsumed in the cost of the weekly fees charged; and what plans he has to discuss these matters with the representatives of local authorities and bodies representing private owners of residential homes;

(2) if he will review the circumstances in which residents of homes are provided with pocket money for personal needs to ensure disposable income is available to them; and what plans he has to make future provision for pocket money for residents in homes;

(3) if he will set up a departmental inquiry into the extent to which residents of rest homes and nursing homes are being deprived of pocket money to meet basic care costs; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Burt

Personal allowances are intended to be used by residents for their needs as they see best. Some residents contract for charges higher than the income support limits and may use the personal expenses allowance to meet the shortfall. The numbers using their allowance in this way is not known.

Such matters are regularly discussed with representative bodies and we have no plans to set up an inquiry.

From April 1993, all residents placed in residential care or nursing homes by local authorities will retain an amount for personal expenses.