HC Deb 22 February 1988 vol 128 cc96-7W
Mr. Hume

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement explaining the method used to determine the allocation of social fund budgets to each social security office in Northern Ireland, giving examples of how the formula was applied to given offices.

Mr. Needham

[holding answer 15 February 1988]: An explanation of the basis of the allocations, together with an example for one office falling within the hon. Gentlemen's constituency, has been placed in the Library.

Mr. Hume

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement indicating the factors used in determining the contingency reserve in the social fund budget and explaining the conditions of its use.

Mr. Needham

[holding answer 15 February 1988]: The contingency reserve was set at approximately 1 per cent. of the gross budget, as for the rest of the United Kingdom. It will be used where a social security office budget needs to be increased to cope with exceptional demand resulting, for example, from a major local emergency.

Mr. Hume

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement indicating the social fund budget allocation consequences for future years(a) if a social security office's allocation runs out and (b) if it is not used up.

Mr. Needham

[holding answer 15 February 1988]: The arrangements for controlling social fund expenditure are designed to ensure that social security offices will not overspend during the year. The aim will be for payments to approach the budget for the year as closely as possible without exceeding it. If an allocation is not fully spent, the surplus will be carried over to the social fund for the following year.

Mr. Hume

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement outlining what means will be used to monitor social fund expenditure by social security offices; and what means will be used to influence the pattern of that expenditure if monitoring suggests that there are discrepancies.

Mr. Needham

[holding answer 15 February 1988]: Social security offices will monitor their expenditure against a monthly profile for loans and grants which will take into account any particular foreseeable local factors. In the light of actual expenditure, it may be necessary from time to time for offices to adjust their plans by spreading any deficit or excess over the remaining months of the year.