PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES AND THE NATIONAL CARE STANDARDS COMMISSION

Early day motion 1220, tabled 14 May 2003 by Paul Truswell (Labour). Signed by 56 members.

That this House acknowledges the value of caring for people with learning disabilities in supported housing; notes that until the present time, many occupants of such accommodation have held individual assured tenancies, and have consequently been entitled to housing benefit; views with grave concern the decision of the National Care Standards Commission to register some of these establishments as care homes, thereby removing the occupants' status as tenants and depriving them of their entitlement to housing benefit, reducing their disposable income from around ú60 to ú15 per week; firmly believes that this represents a retrogressive and unintended development in the care of people with learning disabilities that runs contrary to the Government's Valuing People initiative; notes that local authorities and independent sector providers have lodged appeals against these decisions; and urges the Government to institute immediate action to rectify this anomaly.

Signatures by party: Labour 32, Liberal Democrat 12, Labour/Co-operative 4, Conservative 2, DUP 2, Plaid Cymru 2, UUP 2.