§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what evidence he has of any increased take-up in community care grants as against loans within the social fund budget.
§ Mr. Peter LloydTake up of community care grants has increased steadily over recent months. Expenditure in December 1988 was £3.9 million representing 79 per cent. of monthly profiled expenditure. Provisional figures for January 1989 show that expenditure increased to £5.1 million, representing 109 per cent. of monthly profiled expenditure. Expenditure on loans was £12.1 million in December 1988, representing 103 per cent. of monthly
1984–851 1985–86 1986–872 1988–89 Number of claimants paid Amount paid £ Number of claimants paid Amount paid £ Number of £5 payments made Amount paid £ Number of claims refused Number of claims refused Doncaster East 218 2,0347.53 477 11,783.44 4,286 21,430 1,075 6 Doncaster West 509 5,776.11 764 28,808.23 4,321 21,605 2,068 — Wath-on-Dearne 180 1,890.61 567 14,368.33 3,207 16,035 868 — Total 907 9,701.25 1,808 54,960.00 11,814 59,070 4,011 6 1 Details of the number of claims refused in 1984–85, 1985–86 and 1987–88 are not available 2 It is estimated that 6,000 claimants received payments.