HC Deb 19 October 1993 vol 230 cc225-6W
Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what steps his Department is now taking to review the entitlement to income support of claimants in the light of the Court of Appeal's decision in the case of Percival White v. Chief Adjudication Officer; and what guidance has been issued to those adjudicating claims for income support in relation to inquiries initiated or procedures adopted in view of the court's ruling;

(2) what steps he has taken to assure nursing home residents, their relatives, and the proprietors of homes in which they reside affected by the judgment of the Court of Appeal in the case of the Percival White v. Chief Adjudicating Officer that, if income support claims are reviewed and payments discontinued alternative payments will be made by the district health authority responsible for providing the resident with in-patient treatment and care.

Mr. Burt

When the decision of the Court of Appeal has been published it will be studied carefully to ascertain whether any income support claimants, other than those involved in the case, will be affected. The decision confirms the existing policy and it is, therefore, expected that the number of people affected will be small. Most people whose care in a nursing home has been arranged by a health authority are already being assessed as patients. However, the vast majority of people in nursing homes are private residents and there is no question of their being regarded as in-patients.

General guidance can only be issued when the decision has been studied in detail. However, the Central Adjudication Services will give advice to adjudication officers who require assistance with similar cases.

I understand that the Department of Health issued advice to regional and district health authorities in 1991 on their responsibilities in this area.

Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list by premium the deductions made from the income support of claimants who are also subject to a deduction for voluntary unemployment.

Mr. Burt

Only recipients of the family premium were found to have deductions when benefit was reduced because of voluntary unemployment, but the numbers in the sample are too small to give a reliable estimate.

Source: Income Support Statistics Annual Enquiry, May 1992.

Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how long the figure set as the level of fuel debt which leads to a deduction from and direct payment of income support has been in operation;

(2) what is the basis for the figure set as the level of fuel debt which can lead to a deduction from and direct payment of income support.

Mr. Burt

The minimum amount of fuel debt which can lead to direct payment to the fuel company is set at the level of the personal allowance for a single claimant aged not less than 25 years old.

The figure has been set since the introduction of income support in April 1988.