Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 5 September 2016 to Question 43519, what plans he has to ensure that local authorities with the highest proportions of attendance allowance cases in payment are able to provide the same level of attendance allowance funding under the structure proposed in his Department's consultation, Self-sufficient local government: 100 per cent business rate retention.

The consultation "Self-sufficient local government: 100% business rates retention" published by the Department of Communities and local government sought views on a range of options for devolving new responsibilities to local government including more responsibility for caring for older people.

The feedback from that consultation which closed on 26 September is currently being analysed and a response will be published in due course.

The Government would undertake a further consultation, accompanied by a relevant impact assessment, if any changes were to be proposed in relation to Attendance Allowance.