HC Deb 19 December 1988 vol 144 cc115-6W
15. Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his latest estimate for the full annual cost of income support payments to residents in private aged persons' homes.

Mr. Scott

In May 1988, the annual income support expenditure on people in independent residential care and nursing homes as a whole in Great Britain was estimated to be £878 million.

16. Mr. Andrew Bowden

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to further increase income support limits for those in residential care and nursing homes.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

My right hon. Friend announced on 27 October significant increase in the income support limits for people in residential care homes and nursing homes. These will come into force as part of the general uprating of social security benefits in April 1989.

66. Mr. Harry Greenway

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much has so far been spent in special grants to people on income support; what was the comparable figure a year ago; who the main beneficiaries have been and for what reasons; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Provisional figures for the period 11 April to 30 October 1988 for social fund budgeting and crisis loans and community care grants are as follows:

Budgeting and crisis loans Community care grants
£ million £ million
Expenditure 11 April 1988 to 30 October 1988 61 15
Main beneficiary group percentage of expenditure
Pensioners 4 14
Disabled 9 13
Unemployed 39 25
Lone parents 40 36
Others 8 12
Main purpose of award percentage of expenditure
Furniture-household-equipment-washing machines-bedding 77 81
Home improvement-repairs-maintenance-redecoration 3 3
Budgeting and crisis loans Community care grants
£ million £ million
Removal expenses 1 3
Rent in advance 1 0
Travelling expenses 0 5
Clothing and footwear 5 6
HP and other debts 1 0
Living expenses 10 0
Others 1 1
Note: Percentages of less than 0.5 per cent. are shown as 0.

Directly comparable figures for the same period in 1987, before the social fund started, are not available. However expenditure on supplementary benefits single payments in the period 8 April to 26 October 1987 was £100 milion, which was distributed as follows:

Beneficiary group Percentage of expenditure
Supplementary pension (P) 44
Supplementary allowance (unemployed) (E) 45
Supplementary allowance (other) (A) 10