Local MP Norman Baker has called on the government to do more to help pensioners throughout East Sussex as figures unveiled by the MP revealed that spending on sheltered housing has decreased substantially over the past five years.
The figures, released in an answer to a Parliamentary Question asked by Norman, show that while over £2.42 million was spent on sheltered housing in East Sussex in 2003/04, this had decreased to just £1.66 million in 2007/08 - a substantial decrease of 31%.
It has also emerged that East Sussex has been hit harder by cuts than other regions in the South East. The decrease in funding over the past five years is four times larger than the average decrease across the South East, which stands at just 8.4%.
Norman Baker said:
"It is extremely disappointing that spending on sheltered housing programmes in East Sussex has decreased by so much, particularly given the demographics of the county.
"Sheltered housing programmes offer older people safety and a more independent lifestyle than they would otherwise have, but a decrease of almost a third is an enormous reduction which risks either leaving people in their homes when they need more structured support, or pushing them prematurely into care homes.
"This is just another example of the government's failure to provide for older people across the Lewes constituency and the surrounding area. I am writing to the Housing Minister, John Healey, to ask him what steps he intends to take to improve matters.
This table shows the amount spent on sheltered housing in East Sussex and the South East region in each of the past five years.
| Year | South East | East Sussex |
| 2007/08 | £23,965,794.26 | £1,665,175.94 |
| 2006/07 | £26,147,188.27 | £1,966,171.13 |
| 2005/06 | £26,518,939.31 | £2,035,349.34 |
| 2003/04 | £28,760,656.61 | £2,421,458.94 |
This is the text of a letter Norman has written to the Housing and Planning Minister, John Healey
"I am writing with regard to some figures, recently unveiled in an answer to a Parliamentary Question, which shows that government spending on sheltered housing in East Sussex has decreased markedly in the past five years. I have enclosed a copy of this answer for your information.
"From the figures, it is clear that spending on sheltered housing in East Sussex has decreased by 31% since 2003/04. I am concerned that this reduction in support may leave many of my constituents, and people across East Sussex, without the support they require, forcing them to either remain in their home or pushing them towards care homes when this is no longer appropriate to their needs.
"I am also concerned that spending on sheltered housing in East Sussex has decreased by much more than the average rate across the South East and nationwide, particularly given the demographics of the county, and the fact that it is home to a high proportion of older people.
"I would be very grateful if you could give me whatever information you have relating to this reduction in spending in East Sussex, and what action, if any, you intend to take to reverse this trend. In particular, I would be interested to know why the reduction in spending has been more severe in the county compared with other areas in the South East and across England.
"I look forward to hearing from you."
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Contact Norman at:
Norman Baker,
23 East Street,
Lewes,
East Sussex,
BN7 2LJ.
Tel: (01273) 480281.
Fax: (01273) 480287.
Email: info
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