§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to make all requirements of the disabled facilities grants mandatory; and if he will make a statement. [130383]
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§ Mr. MullinDisabled facilities grants are mandatory in all cases set out under section 23(1) of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996, and local authorities must follow the provisions of that Act in giving them. The grants are subject to a test of the applicant's resources to ensure that they are directed at those who are unable to afford the cost of adaptations on their own. In addition to their statutory duties, local authorities have powers to approve grants for the welfare, accommodation and employment of disabled people, and to pay grant above the £20,000 limit for the mandatory grant. These discretionary provisions enable local authorities to respond sensitively to individual cases without weakening the statutory entitlement of disabled people to a grant. We have no plans to change these arrangements.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review the operation of the disabled facilities grant, with particular reference to the needs associated with childhood and adolescence; and if he will make a statement. [130482]
§ Mr. MullinEarlier this year, my Department reviewed the arrangements for disabled facilities grants in relation to the needs of disabled children and young people. In the light of that review, we introduced changes to the test of resources for the grant in April this year, to reflect the higher housing costs incurred by parents of disabled children. We have no plants to make further changes to the arrangements governing the treatment of disabled children and young people, which are consistent with those for other housing-related benefits.