§ Mr. Dorrellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, further to his reply of 7 December 1983 to the hon. Member for Loughborough, Official Report, c. 190–91, how much of the costs listed in each case would fall in the financial year 1984–85.
§ Dr. BoysonThe costs of (i) £500 million and (ii) £230 million quoted in my reply of 7 December 1983—[Vol. 50, c.190–91]—were for a full year at November 1984 benefit rates, if the changes were introduced in November 1984, the corresponding costs in the financial year 1984–85 would be (i) £175 million and (ii) £80 million.
§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many supplementary benefit claimants have been subject to a directive under section 10 of the Supplementary Benefit Act 1976 in (a) 1980, (b) 1981, (c) 1982 and (d) 1983, respectively.
§ Dr. BoysonThe information requested is not yet available for 1983. The figures or the previous four years are as follows:
Number 1979 271 1980 357 1981 185 1982 62
§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many supplementary benefit claimants have had their benefit suspended because they have refused to attend a re-establishment centre whilst subject to a directive under section 10 of the Supplementary Benefit Act in each of the last four years.
§ Dr. BoysonI regret that the information is not available.
§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many young people have so far had their 439W supplementary benefit reduced for six weeks because they have refused to attend or complete a youth training scheme placement.
§ Dr. BoysonIf a young person, without good reason, refuses a suitable youth training scheme placement or leaves prematurely, supplementary benefit may be reduced for a period not exceeding six weeks under regulation 8 of the Supplementary Benefit (Requirements) Regulations. During the four weeks ending on 20 December 1983 the numbers of cases where supplementary benefit was reduced for these reasons were as follows:
Refusal of place Premature leaving 175 783 Corresponding figures for earlier periods are not available.
§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average payment made by his Department in England and Wales for the cost of board and lodging to recipients of supplementary benefit assessed as boarders, giving the information for each of the following categories: (a) all boarders, (b) commercial bed and breakfast establishments, (c) hostels and (d) all other establishments.
§ Dr. BoysonThe information available on average payments to boarders is as follows:
Average weekly supplementary benefit payment £ All boarders 38.20 Persons in private accommodation, hotels or bed and brakfast establishments 36.54 Persons in hostels or common lodging houses 41.35 Source: Annual statistical inquiry, December 1982.
Note: The weekly benefit payment does not correspond directly with the board and lodging charge: entitlement is based on the aggregate of the board and lodging charge, an allowance for any meals not provided, and an allowance for personal expenses (£8.50 at the ordinary rate in December 1982); less any resources that fall to be taken into account in the assessment.
§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many recipients of supplementary benefit in England and Wales are assessed as boarders, giving the information for each of the following categories: (a) all boarders, (b) commercial bed and breakfast establishments, (c) hostels and (d) all other establishments.
§ Dr. BoysonThe information is as follows:
Numbers All boarders 76,000 Persons in private accommodation, hotels or bed and breakfast establishments 50,000 Persons in hostels or common lodging houses 26,000 Source: Annual Statistical inquiry December 1982.