Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has plans to protect elderly people with limited or questionable capacity who are victims of (a) control, (b) abuse and (c) forced estrangement by a financially-motivated relative; and whether he has received any representations from the Law Commission on this matter.

Local authorities must safeguard people with care and support needs who are at risk, in cooperation with the police and the National Health Service. Specific offences can be used to prosecute perpetrators. These duties have remained throughout the pandemic and we have supported the sector with guidance, training and increased funding for local authorities.

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 provides protection and support for all victims who are abused or controlled by a relative. We have also committed to review the protections and support in place for adults abused at home by someone caring for them. The Law Commission is running a consultation on its programme of reform. Government officials are also engaged with this work.