§ Lord Molloyasked Her Majesty's Government:
How people with preserved rights can meet the fees demanded by private nursing homes once the capital raised by the sale of their homes has run out and the local council is not permitted to fund.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Social Security (Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish)For preserved rights cases, fees are a matter between the homeowner and the resident, or their representative. The aim of the Income Support limits is to help residents meet reasonable charges for their care. The aim could not be to meet all fees however high they may be set.
Where a third party meets the shortfall, that contribution is disregarded in assessing the amount of Income Support payable.
Practically all the Income Support nursing home limits have increased in real terms since 1985. The "elderly" limit increased by 38 per cent. in real terms between April 1985 and April 1994.
In cases where the local authority is not permitted to provide funding, the local authority, in collaboration with the health authority, will be able to help nursing home residents who face eviction or home closure with advice and guidance to help them to find alternative accommodation.