Thank you for contacting me about Attendance Allowance.
The Government is currently considering a range of ideas for the future of local government. I welcome the fact that more power and more responsibilities are being handed to local authorities. One area which is being looked at carefully is how we care for people in later life, including people who would currently be supported through Attendance Allowance. Proposals on giving local authorities more responsibility in this regard are due to be consulted on this year by the Government.
First, let me reassure you that the policy proposal which is being consulted on for devolving these responsibilities to local authorities includes a provision for protecting Attendance Allowance payments for current claimants. That means nobody already receiving Attendance Allowance would lose their entitlement or see their benefits fall in cash terms.
As I have explained, this is still only an idea which the Government has raised and no decision has yet been made. I hope, however, that I have at least been able to provide some reassurance on this matter, and I await the results of the consultation process.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
