§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many state-run old people's homes there are in England; what funding they receive; and what contributions pensioners are expected to make. [124054]
§ Dr. LadymanAt 31 March 2001 there were 1,190 council-run homes for older people in England. This figure includes council-run homes for older mentally ill people.
Councils do not receive direct funding for care homes that they run themselves. Councils are given a financial provision for the social services they provide or commission through the Formula Spending Share (FSS) and grants. Generally, it is for councils to decide how much of that provision to spend on care homes.
The National Assistance (Assessment of Resources) Regulations 1992 sets out how residents' contributions to their cost of their care should be determined. The Regulations apply to adults of all ages. Councils will need to establish in each case what income, savings and capital should be taken into account. Residents with assets in excess on £19,500 should fund their own care costs. Where residents has assets between £19,500 and £12,000 councils provide increasing support until the lower capital limit is reached, at which point councils provide full support. With regard to residents' income, all or most of it is taken into account although each resident should be left with at least a personal expenses allowance of £17.50.