§ Mr. HumeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the measures the Government are using to monitor the effects of the new social security system on those claimants who were targeted by the new legislation and on the Government's assessment of the position of single parents since the benefit changes of April 1988.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 13 February 1989]: Monitoring of the effects of the new system is based on a range of statistical information and will also have regard in due course to various research findings. It is estimated that the large majority of single parents were better off or no worse off in cash terms as a result of the changes in their weekly benefits. Estimates are not available of the overall impact taking account of the introduction of the social fund.
§ Mr. HumeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has on the number of social fund applications made by single parents, the numbers which are successful, and the amounts given in loans and payments to these applicants.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 13 February 1989]: Information for the period 11 April 1988 to 31 December 1988 (the latest for which it is available) is as follows: 128W
(a) Applications received (b) Number allowed (c) Amount awarded Loans 12,682 11,163 £2,443,294.62 Community Care Grants 2,396 1,614 £556,315.99 Funeral and Maternity payments 1,558 1,504 £199,001.83 Total 16,636 14,281 £3,198,612.44 The balance of applications in each category were withdrawn by the applicant, or refused, or are still to be considered.
§ Mr. HumeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has on the numbers of single parents who are having deductions made from their benefits in respect of social fund loans, rent arrears, fuel arrears or overpayments.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 13 February 1989]: The information is not available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.