§ Mr. GroganTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement regarding loss of entitlement to pension and other benefits of the elderly who are hospitalised. [28063]
§ Vera BairdTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the impact of the downrating of pensions and benefits during hospital stays on the elderly and the sick. [29255]
§ Mr. WyattTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to revise the legislation reducing benefit payments to patients after six weeks residence in hospital. [34857]
§ Mr. ProsserTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement regarding loss of entitlement to pensions and other benefits of elderly people during hospital stays. [37732]
§ Mr. McCartney[holding answer 28 January 2002]: As previously promised we have considered carefully the impact of the current rules which reduce certain benefits paid to pensioners and people of working age after six weeks of hospitalisation. The downrating of benefits preserves the principle that the state should not make double provision. It also recognises that a substantial number of people leave hospital before six weeks.
However, we also recognise that people have on-going financial commitments while in hospital, and although we consider the six week rule strikes a fair balance between what the state should provide financially and the provision individuals should make for themselves, we have none the less decided to extend the period before benefits are downrated by a further seven weeks to the 13 week stage. This will mean that people previously affected by the six week rule will be able to keep their benefits untouched if their period of stay in hospital is under 13 weeks.
We will introduce this change to coincide with the introduction of Pension Credit.