§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Prime Minister what action he is taking to ensure that pensioners with savings below £16,000 are not obliged to pay residential care home costs; and what representations he has received on this subject in respect of Sefton Borough Council. [5986]
§ The Prime MinisterI am concerned about the implications of the Court of Judgment on the Judicial Review of Sefton Borough Council's decision not to provide residential care for people until their capital has reached £1,500. I understand that Help the Aged, which brought the judicial review, have been given leave to appeal, and they will need to consider the outcome of that. If legislation is required to reverse the effect of the judgment, I am pleased to see that my Honourable Friend the Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Singh) intends to introduce a Bill to rectify the position which I hope will receive all party support.
As far as I am aware, my office has received one representation concerning Sefton Borough Council, which is being dealt with in the normal way.