§ Mr. SteinbergTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what statistical information he has as to the reasons given to applicants by social fund officers at the local office in Durham city for the refusal in respect of an application for social fund loans.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThe information requested is shown in the table.
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Reasons for refusal of Social Fund loans 1988–89 number of times reason given As per cent. of total times reason given Office: Durham City Savings over £500 sufficient to meet cost 1 0.2 Not in receipt of IS 47 8.4 Not in receipt of IS for 26 weeks 171 30.4 Excluded items 29 5.2 Excluded persons 1 0.2 Amount < £30 (not travelling expenses) 13 2.3 Total debt of £1,000 1 0.2 Previous application and decision for the item 24 4.3 No serious damage or risk to health or safety 12 2.1 Inability to repay 14 2.5 Help available from another source 15 2.7
number of times reason given As per cent. of total times reason given Insufficient SF funds, priority too low 174 31.0 Suitable alternative available 19 3.4 Loan refused because CCG awarded 23 4.1 Other 18 3.2 Total 562 Note: the proportions have been calculated as percentages of the total number of reasons for refusal. The total number of reasons for refusal may equal or exceed the total number of refusals because the social fund officer can give more than one reason for refusing an application.