§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of expenditure on the social fund for each of(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98. [22783]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe information is set out in the table.
Social Fund Estimated Expenditure at time provision was voted £ million Expenditure met from 1995–96 estimated out-turn 1996–97 plans 31997–98 plans Regulated Social Fund2 186 83 100 Discretionary Social Fund 140 143 150 Total 226 226 250 1 Care is needed in the interpretation of expenditure on the regulated fund as cold weather payments are demand led. The 1995–96 outturn for cold weather payments, including a spring supplementary estimate of £24 million, is now expected to be about £55 million higher than the original estimate of £8 million included in the figure given. 2 Projections in the regulated fund include a reduction in funeral payment expenditure as a result of reforms introduced during 1995–96. 3 1997–98 figures are rounded to the nearest £50 million.