Mary Henry (Independent)

Section 1 allows a great deal of discretion regarding what might happen to people because of the clause "including the means of the spouse, if any, of that person in addition to the person's own means". If a couple had been separated for decades, would the legislation take account of that? I presume there are clauses in the legislation to ensure that huge sums of money cannot be transferred by a person requiring care to another person. However, what if the couple have been separated for years and perhaps even have a judicial separation, though they are not divorced? They may have made financial arrangements on separation. One person might have been profligate and the other might have tried his or her best to live in a normal and modest manner. The latter person might now be asked to subscribe towards the care of the former in a nursing home. That is not just.