HC Deb 30 June 1983 vol 44 cc141-2W
Ms. Richardson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list by the regulation under which they were made the single payments paid to claimants in 1981 and 1982.

Dr. Boyson

The information requested is as follows:

Regulation Number Numbers (000s)
1981 1982
7 (Maternity needs) 60 88
8 (Funeral expenses) 11 13
9–10 (Furniture and household equipment) 307 476
11 (Hire purchase) 2 2
12 (Bed clothes) 159 257
13 (Removal expenses) 30 39
14 (Deposits) 1 2
15 (Legal fees) * *
16 (Housing requirements of discharged prisoners) * *
17 (Repairs and maintenance of the home) 7 8
18 (Draught proofing) 1 3
19 (Redecorating) 17 41
20 (Fuel meters and reconnection charges) 10 13
21 (Housing costs which arise irregular) 1 2
22 (Travelling expenses) 9 11
23 (Expenses on starting work) 5 7
24 (Debts accrued during absence abroad) * *
25 (Repatriation expenses) * *
26 (Fuel costs) 4 278
27 (Clothing and footwear) 51 70
28 (Costs where supplementary benefit not paid or not claimed) 3 6
29 (Prisoners on leave) * *
30 (Discretionary payments) 5 6
Totals 684 1,273
*Less than 500.

The figures for regulation 26 for 1982 are obtained from a special exercise that was carried out to monitor payments awarded because of the exceptionally severe winter weather. The other figures are obtained from the annual statistical inquiries conducted in December 1981 and December 1982. They relate to single payments made during the 12 months preceding the date of the inquiry to persons still in receipt of supplementary benefit at the times of the inquiry, and do not, therefore, record all the single payments made during the year. The 1982 figures are based on partial data, the final figures may be 3 to 4 per cent. higher.