§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the total value in current and standard prices of grants for(a) draughtproofing and (b)Member loft insulation to claimants of supplementary benefit and income support for the last five years;
(2)what is the maximum grant for (a) draughtproofing and (b) loft insulation payable to claimants of supplementary benefit and income support in each of the last five years; and what is the value of this maximum in standard prices;
(3)what is the number of grants made for (a) draughtproofing and (b) loft insulation to claimants of supplementary benefit and income support since 1983.
§ Mr. Peter LloydHelp with the cost of simple draughtproofing (but not loft insulation) was available to recipients of supplementary benefit under the old single payments scheme. Details of the number of single payments for draughtproofing since 1983 and their cost are recorded in table 19.2 of the "Annual Statistical Enquiry", copies of which are in the Library.
There was no maximum amount for a single payment for draughtproofing. The regulations provided for a payment of an amount equal to the cost of necessary materials.
The discretionary social fund replaced single payments on 11 April 1988. Community care grants and budgeting loans are available from the fund for people receiving income support. Crisis loans are available to anyone, whether receiving income support or not, in an emergency Payments for draughtproofing and loft insulation are not excluded from the social fund, but a social fund officer.. who determines applications to the fund, would not normally make an award for these items if help with the materials and work is available from another source, such as a community insulation project or the homes insulation scheme.
Information about the number and type of awards form the social fund for draughtproofing and loft insulation is not collected.