HC Deb 04 June 1996 vol 278 cc385-6W
Mr. Bayley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of(a) the number and (b) the proportion of elderly people in long-term residential and nursing care homes in (a) 2000, (b) 2005 and (c) 2010 who will have a partnership long-term care policy if the proposals in "A New Partnership for Care in Old Age" are implemented. [31296]

Mr. Bowis

We have no targets for the take-up of partnership products to meet long-term care costs. This will depend on the nature of the scheme and consumer choice.

Mr. Bayley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the annual cost in terms of income forgone by local authorities or the Government in(a) 2000, (b) 2005 and (c) 2010 of a partnership long-term care insurance scheme, as proposed in the White Paper, "A New Partnership for Care in Old Age", assuming £1.50 protection for every £1 of insurance benefit was taken out by (i) 10 per cent., (ii) 25 per cent., (iii) 50 per cent., and (iv) 100 per cent., of elderly people with capital assets greater than £10,000. [31294]

Mr. Bowis

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. Denham) on 14 May,Official Report, column 419. In reaching conclusions about the partnership proposals, the Government will take careful account of the cost implications, including costs falling on local authorities.

Mr. Bayley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will supplement the examples given on pages 35–36 of "A New Partnership for Care in Old Age", to exemplify the cost of long-term care insurance, within and without a partnership scheme, in terms of a monthly premium and a lump sum payment for benefits worth £1,600 a month for(a) a single male, (b) a single female and (c) a couple aged (i) 60 and (ii) 65 years. [31295]

Mr. Bowis

We expect that premiums for long-term care insurance generally, and particularly under a partnership scheme, will fall relative to current products as the market develops. However, premiums are still likely to vary considerably according to individual circumstances.