§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will contribute funding to the telephone helpline run by Action on Elder Abuse. [145628]
§ Dr. LadymanI have been asked to reply.
The abuse of vulnerable adults is of great concern to the Government. Since the launch of Action on Elder Abuse in 1993, the Department of Health has used grants to fund both the core functions of the organisation and a variety of specific projects including the telephone helpline. Action on Elder Abuse received just under £160,000 over the three years from 1997–98 to 1999–2000 to help establish and successfully operate the national helpline.
Bids for section 64 funding are currently being considered and will be announced on the normal way.