§ Mr. WebbTo ask he Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Social Fund crisis loan alignment payments were awarded in(a) 2002–03 and (b) 2003–04; what the expenditure on alignment payments was in each of those years; and if he will make a statement. [185055]
§ Mr. PondCrisis loan alignment payments are made to people awaiting their first payment of benefit, which is paid in arrears. Crisis loan payments made in these circumstances are intended to cover day-to-day living expenses until the first benefit pay day, following which full payments of benefit can be made. Where a claim has not been decided by the time that the first payment is due, interim payments are available.
Alignment payments can also be made to people moving from benefit into work who need financial help until they receive their first wage.
455WThe information is in the table
Number of awards Expenditure (£ million) 2002–03 510,000 29.8 2003–04 513,000 31.0 Notes: 1. The number of awards listed includes all crisis loans made in whole or in part for alignment purposes. 2. Number of awards is rounded to the nearest thousand. Source: DWP Social Fund Policy, Budget and Management Information System.