§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether his Department is continuing to monitor the level of underspending on community care grants; and if he will make a statement on this matter before the end of the financial year.
§ Mr. Peter LloydWe are continuing to monitor closely all aspects of the social fund. Expenditure on community care grants has increased significantly over recent months and is currently running at 77 per cent. of national monthly profile.
I outlined in my reply to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond) on 17 January at columns 118–19the steps we were taking further to improve awareness of the help that can be provided through community care grants. Monthly statistics on the operation of the social fund for every local office and a national summary are placed in the Library.