§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, if she will review her policy on local authorities making top-up payments towards the cost of residential or nursing home care for residents with preserved entitlements to Department of Social Security benefits; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. BowisWe have no plans to bring forward legislation to amend local authorities' current powers to provide financial support for people with preserved rights to the higher levels of income support. Levels of benefits to which preserved rights apply are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security.