§ 28. Mr. BerryTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will require the independent living fund to make payments which take into account the employer's responsibilities in respect of recipients who employ their own care staff. [1725]
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he proposes to take to ensure that payments from the independent living fund cover employer's liabilities in the same way as direct payments from local authorities under the Community Care (Direct Payments) Act 1996 will do. [2427]
§ Mr. Andrew MitchellWe have no plans to do so. The trustees of the independent living funds have discretion to make payments towards client's care costs, and they currently help over 15,000 severely disabled people at a cost of £115 million.