§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance he proposes to give to local offices about exceeding nominal monthly social fund allocations in the light of the shortfall in spending evident in the early months of the financial year.
§ Mr. Peter LloydGuidance relating to the management of social fund budgets is contained in paragraphs 2000–2056 of the social fund manual. The Department has recently written to local office managers drawing attention to this guidance and reminding them that the objective is for payments to approach the year's budget as closely as possible while maintaining so far as possible consistency of priority-setting and decision-making throughout the year.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will revise the guidance contained in the social fund manual in order to ensure that the full budget is spent.
§ Mr. Peter LloydWe have no plans to amend the existing guidance in the social fund manual regarding management of the social fund budget. The guidance relating to community care grants is currently being revised.