§ Baroness Oppenheim-Barnesasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they propose to establish a partnership scheme for long term care.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Cumberlege)The Government remain committed to the proposals for a partnership scheme set out in the consultation paperA New Partnership for Care in Old Age, copies of which are available in the Library. In the light of responses to the consultation paper, it also intends to legislate to allow residents in care homes to top up the care arranged by their local authorities.
The Government intend to introduce a Bill as soon as legislative time is available. In the meantime, it is discussing the details of legislation with the financial services industry, representatives of local authorities, and other interested parties. It will publish a draft Bill, and a statement of its policy in the light of comments on the consultation paper, in the New Year.