§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has studied the report by the central London social security advisers forum on social security claimants and furnished accommodation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BoysonI have read the report with interest. However, for reasons set out in my reply to the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland on 8 May 1984 at column374 we have no plans at present to accept the report's recommendation that the clause in Single Payments Regulation 10(1)(a) referring to the availability of suitable alternative furnished accommodation should be removed. The report also recommends that the DHSS should in the meantime recognise that there is no suitable furnished accommodation available to social security claimants in London. Decisions on the interpretation of the regulations are for the independent adjudicating authorities to make in the light of the facts in each case. A recent tribunal of social security commissioners' decision and the related guidance from the Chief Adjudicating Officer (a copy of which is in the Library) should however help to ensure that the supplementary benefit regulations relating to payments for essential furniture and household equipment to claimants moving into unfurnished accommodation are applied fairly and consistently throughout the country.
We have also asked the social security policy inspectorate to investigate the way these provisions are working and will be considering whether any changes in policy are appropriate in the light of its report.