HC Deb 11 July 1988 vol 137 cc61-3W
Mrs. Beckett

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will publish in theOfficial Report the model profile of expected expenditure from the social fund, referred to in paragraph 2042 of the social fund manual, showing the planned levels of expenditure month by month.

Mr. Portillo

The information is as follows. The figure for April reflects the fact that it is only a part month for the purposes of the social fund in 1988–89. The model profile is the same for both grants and loans budgets.

Percentage of annual gross budget
Per cent.
April 2.23
May 8.88
June 8.88
July 8.88
August 8.88
September 8.56
October 9.47
November 9.49
December 8.27
January 7.87

Per cent.
February 9.19
March 9.40
Total 100.00

Mrs. Beckett

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the social fund budget forecasts of the Derby London road and I3ecket street offices for each month up to the end of 1988–89.

Mr. Portillo

The information requested, as a percentage of the annual budget in each case, is as follows:

Derby Derby
Becket Street London Road
Grants Loans Grants Loans
July 9.39 9.16 10.29 8.97
August 9.39 9.16 10.29 8.97
September 9.05 8.83 9.92 8.65
October 10.01 9.77 10.98 9.57
November 10.03 9.79 11.00 9.59
December 8.74 8.53 9.59 8.35
January 8.32 8.12 9.12 7.95
February 9.72 9.48 10.65 9.28
March 9.94 9.70 10.90 9.50

There have been technical problems with the social fund microcomputers, affecting the statistics, which are being corrected as quickly as possible. As a result, these figures may be subject to revision.

Local office monthly profiles of forecast expenditure are indicative only and are not a series of monthly budgets. They are automatically adjusted at the end of each month to take account of actual expenditure and may also be adjusted by the local office manager in the course of the year in the light of further information. Actual expenditure may well vary from that forecast.

Mrs. Beckett

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many social fund inspectors have reviewed more than two cases;

(2) what was the total number of hours worked by social fund inspectors up to 27 June; how much of that time was spent in reviewing the cases received by them; and how the rest of their time was spent.

Mr. Portillo

I regret that the information is not available in the precise form requested. I am advised by the social fund commissioner that up to 30 June 1988 the total number of hours worked by social fund inspectors was 7,826. Four social fund inspectors had reviewed more than two cases. When not reviewing cases social fund inspectors have been undergoing training.

Mrs. Beckett

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the numbers and amounts of budgeting loans, crisis loans and community care grants made by social fund officers at the Derby London road and Becket street local offices in May analysed by clients groups, within application purpose and within application type.

Mr. Portillo

In view of the volume of information involved, I will write to the hon. Member with the figures.

Mr. Raffan

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will announce the allocation of social fund budgets to the local office at Deeside.

Mr. Portillo

On 23 May a new local office at Deeside assumed responsibility for serving some of the areas previously served by the local offices at Rhyl and Wrexham. Accordingly, the allocations to Rhyl and Wrexham have been reduced proportionately and the money reallocated to Deeside. The new allocations are as follows:

Grants budget £ Loans budget £ Period of allocation
Deeside 53,752 126,939 23 May 1988–31 March 1989
Rhyl 109,152 251,676 1 May 1988–31 March 1989
Wrexham 146,288 340,749 1 May 1988–31 March 1989