§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will launch a publicity campaign informing potential claimants of the availability of community care118W grants and loans, to ensure that the budgets are fully spent by the end of this financial year; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter LloydTake-up of community care grants has increased significantly over recent months and expenditure is currently running at 77 per cent, of monthly profiled expenditure. However, we are taking action further to improve awareness of the help that can be provided.
Local office managers have been asked to improve and maintain their liaison with local statutory and voluntary organisations since these are often best placed to identify people who may be eligible for help. We are also considering what additional measures might be taken to improve national information material on the scheme. In addition social fund officers have been reminded of the need to be flexible in applying guidance to individual cases and we are currently revising existing guidance in the social fund manual to make this clear.
Expenditure on loans has now reached national monthly profiled levels and we do not consider that further action is required in this area.