§ Mr. Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will(a) raise the savings limit of £2,500 for all benefit claimants and (b) establish a higher limit for those with special needs. [110713]
§ Mr. BayleyThe capital limits in the income-related benefits are reviewed regularly but are not uprated annually. The lower limit of £3,000 was introduced in April 1988. From April 1996 this was increased to £10,000 for people living permanently in residential care and nursing homes. The rules are designed to ensure that help is targeted on those who need it most while not entirely denying benefit to those with only a modest amount of capital. We have no plans to establish a higher limit for other people with special needs.