HC Deb 11 June 1996 vol 279 cc109-10W
Mr. Denham

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the percentage of people in long-term residential care who are self-funding. [32200]

Mr. Bowis

We estimate that around 25 per cent. of people in residential care currently meet their own costs in full.

Mr. Denham

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the total annual cost to public funds of raising the capital disregards for long-term residential care from 1 April. [32201]

Mr. Bowis

With regard to the cost to English local authority social services departments, I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Worcester (Mr. Luff) on 5 March at column189.

The cost to the Department of Social Security of raising the capital disregards in relation to income support for residential accommodation is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security.

Mr. Denham

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the total annual cost to public funds of raising the lower and upper capital disregards for long-term residential care from £10,000 to £15,000 and from £16,000 to £21,000. [32202]

Mr. Bowis

No such estimate has been made.