§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was(a) the total of all single payments paid by local offices in London, (b) the equivalent figure for only those single payments encompassing items now covered by the social fund, for 1986–87 and 1987–88, (c) the total number of budgeting loans, crisis loans, community care grants paid out in the same catchment area so far for the year 1988–89 and (d) the expenditure represented by (a) to (c)
§ Mr. Peter Lloyd[pursuant to his reply, 26 January 1989, c. 709]I regret that part of the information given was incorrect. The reply should be as follows. .
Details of the total number of all single payments paid by local offices in the London postal area for the periods 1986–87 and 1987–88 by office are in the Library.
There are two expenses for which single payments could be made but which are specifically excluded from the social fund: returnable deposits on accommodation and work-related expenses. The £30 limit for budgeting loans and most community care grants will also operate in some 715W cases to prevent payment for items that would otherwise have been available as single payments. Figures are not available for items covered by the social fund that were available previously as single payments.
716WInformation on the numbers of applications for social fund loans and grants processed and awarded, listed by local office, including information on budget allocations and expenditure, is also in the Library.