HC Deb 25 February 1987 vol 111 cc316-7W
Mr. Deakins

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claimants received payment for additional requirements at Brighton and Leicester local offices, respectively, in 1986; and what was the average payment made.

Mr. Lyell

I regret that this information is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Deakins

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average weekly payment of supplementary benefit made to claimants under the age of 25 years in Brighton, Leicester and in Britain, respectively.

Mr. Lyell

The average weekly payment of supplementary benefit made to claimants under the age of 25 years in Great Britain in December 1984—the latest figures available — was £27.72. Similar information is not available for Brighton or Leicester.

Source: Supplementary Benefit Annual Statistical Enquiry —December 1984.

Mr. Deakins

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total amount paid to social security claimants in Brighton and Leicester, respectively, for additional requirements in each year since 1979.

Mr. Lyell

I regret that this information is not available.

Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether the supplementary benefit board and lodging allowance for people living in residential care homes includes a specific allocation towards each of the following (i) day care, (ii) purchase of clothing and (iii) holidays;

(2) if he is planning to introduce any extra financial help to people receiving supplementary board and lodging allowance in residential care homes;

(3) how any specific allocations within the supplementary benefit board and lodging allowance for people living in residential care homes are determined;

(4) when he is planning to announce the next increase in supplementary benefit board and lodging allowance for people living in residential care homes.

Mr. Major

The supplementary benefit board and lodging allowance for people in residential care homes contains no specific allocations for particular items of expenditure.

Proposals for increases in benefits for people in homes were announced in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, North-East (Mr. Thurnham) on 12 February at column 362.