§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how he will ensure that sheltered accommodation tenants do not lose out financially when the care component is separated from a rent arrangement.[9544]
§ Ms KeebleWe are committed to providing local authorities with sufficient resources in the new Supporting People grant to enable them to keep support charges levied on existing residents of sheltered housing at the same level in real terms across the transition to Supporting People in April 2003–04. Detailed policy proposals for long term charging and means-testing arrangements under Supporting People were published in a consultation document on 3 January 2001. A further paper, carrying forward work on this issue in the light of responses to the consultation, will be published shortly.