To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 16 October 2008, Official Report, column 1468W, on social services, what assessment he has made of the likely financial situation of organisations responsible for adult social care provision in each year from 2012 to 2041 for which figures are available. (229836)

The projected funding gap for 2012 to 2041, which was published in “Care Support Independence: The Case for Change” (a copy of which has been placed in the Library) was calculated for illustrative purposes only and no assessment of the current financial situation on the funding gap has been made. The wider issue of the reform of the care and support system is being considered in the Green Paper, due to be published next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 21 October 2008, Official Report, column 321W, on social services, how the personal expenses allowance is calculated; and what the average weekly allowance for care home residents was in the last period for which figures are available. (231075)

The requirement for an allowance for expenditure on personal items for those living in residential care settings has its origins in section 22(4) of the National Assistance Act 1948. The National Assistance (Charges for Accommodation) Regulations 1948 set the sum for personal requirements at five shillings per week. These Regulations came into force on 5 July 1948. Due to the passage of time, it has not proved possible to establish the reasons that the level set was felt to be appropriate. Contemporary papers and reports are not available.

The Department now uprates the personal expenses allowance (PEA) annually on the basis of the increase in average earnings. The 2008-09 rate of PEA is £21.15 per week. This took effect on 7 April 2008.