§ Nick HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how the SSA for elderly clients is calculated in each area; and if he will make a statement. [34601]
§ Dr. WhiteheadThere are two formulae for elderly social services—one for residential care and one for domiciliary care. The starting point for both formulae is the number of elderly people in each area. In the case of residential care it is the number of people in households; for domiciliary care it is the total resident population (which includes people in institutions as well as in households). In both formulae the number of people over 85 are given most weight, followed by those aged 75–84, with those aged 65–74 given least weight.
In addition to age, the formulae include deprivation and other indicators associated with the likelihood of being in need of care. These indicators are shown in the table:
currently under review together with the other grant distribution formulae. A new grant distribution system will be introduced in 2003–04.