§ Mr. DenhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what estimate he has made of the number of people in residential care who will be eligible(a) for increased benefits as a result of raising the lower capital threshold as proposed in the Budget and (b) for benefits as a result of raising the upper capital allowance as proposed in the Budget; [3995]
(2) what estimate he has made of the annual increase in benefit expenditure as a result of (a) raising the lower capital threshold as proposed in the Budget and (b) raising the upper capital allowance as proposed in the Budget. [3994]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe information is set out in the table.
Approximate numbers affected Approximate net cost (£ million) Lower Capital Limit 40,000 20 Upper Capital Limit 10,000 5 Total 50,000 25 These estimates do not include the cost to local authorities of applying the new limits when assessing residents' ability to contribute to the cost of their care.