§ 15. Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has received any further representations about the level of the capital limit which bars application for single payments from the social fund.
§ 81. Mr. PatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has received any further representations about the level of the capital limit which bars application for single payments or the social fund.
§ Mr. PortilloWe have received very few representations recently. Capital over £500 is taken into account in assessing the amount of any single payment award. A similar rule for the social fund ensures that social fund payments are made to those people most in need of help.
§ 31. Mr. Tom ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what step he is taking to monitor the impact of the social fund on the clients of local authority social services departments.
§ 52. Mr. Nicholas BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to monitor the impact of the social fund on the clients of local authority social service departments.
§ Mr. ScottThere will be a great deal of management information on the number of applications and refusals, the amounts awarded, for what purpose, and the applicants to whom the awards are made. The quality of decision-making will also be monitored. We propose to commission independent research later in the year into the extent to which the social fund is meeting its objectives.
§ 67. Mr. HardyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what arrangements have been made to provide additional funds to his Department's officers should urgent, serious or special needs arise for either grants or loans under the social fund after the relevant sums for any particular month have been exhausted.
§ Mr. PortilloI refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Maryhill (Ms. Fyfe) on 4 March at column746.