To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment has been undertaken by his Department of the effect of increasing charges for non-residential care services on (a) elderly and disabled people and (b) carers. (116995)

None. Benefits are not paid to meet charges for non-residential care services, but local authorities may take those received by service users into account when assessing the level of charges to be made in line with the statutory guidance, “Fairer Caring Policies for Home Care and other non-residential Social Services”, issued by the Department of Health and last amended in September 2003.