§ Mr. Andrew Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any proposals to simplify application procedures for improvement grants.
§ Sir George YoungThe amount of information which needs to be supplied as part of an application for a home improvement grant is largely a product of the requirements of the grant system. So, while we shall certainly be looking at ways of simplifying application procedures, the best hope for simplification lies in a streamlining of the grant system itself. There is no doubt that the existing system is complex.
§ Mr. Andrew Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received concerning the effectiveness of local authorities' publicity for the home improvement grant scheme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungThe figures we have for grants paid (the figure for 1982 being the highest since 1974) and the42W substantial increase in grant applications to local authorities indicate a good general awareness of the home improvement grant system. We do not have information about publicity by individual local authorities. We do keep the grant system under review and will consider whether further publicity on the need to keep dwellings in good repair and the availability of grant is necessary.
§ Mr. Andrew Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the success of existing repair grant provision in improving the quality of substandard accommodation, particularly for elderly householders.
§ Sir George YoungThe wider availability of repair grants brought about by the Housing Act 1980 and the increase in the rate to 90 per cent. for repair grants has greatly increased their take up. We are looking closely into the whole subject of the elderly living in substandard accommodation, and this will include the extent of repairs required and the suitability of the existing provision.
§ Mr. Andrew Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the take-up by elderly people of improvement grants in the years 1978 to 1982; and if he will estimate the number of elderly people likely to need assistance but who are failing to apply for it.
§ Sir George YoungWe do not have a regular series of figures showing take-up of grant by the elderly. We are, however, looking into the question of take-up of grant by the elderly and the English house condition social survey to be published later this year, will give information on elderly people in poor accommodation and their attitude to improvement.
§ Mr. Andrew Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department issues any guidelines to local authorities on publicity for home improvement and repair grants, designed to inform elderly people of their existence.
§ Sir George YoungThe Department's circular 21/80 does urge local authorities to be particularly helpful to elderly applicants. Local publicity for grants is however a matter for individual local authorities. The Department is preparing a film on housing for the elderly. The information pack which will accompany the film will contain advice to authorities about the value of local services to provide help and advice to elderly people who may not be aware of sources of help with repairs and improvement to their dwellings. We are looking at how best to assist elderly people to improve and repair their homes. This may include recommendations on making elderly people more aware of grants.