§ 23. Mr. HardyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals he has to alter the existing structure and increase the resources provided for the social fund; and what steps he is taking to ensure that decisions made in regard to grants were equitable in one area of the country against another.
§ Mr. ScottMy right hon. Friend recently announced that we have made available an additional £3 million for local offices facing the heaviest pressures on their budgets.
We have no plans to alter the existing structure of the social fund. Its discretionary nature enables social fund officers to look at each application on its merits. This means that decisions on similar cases will, quite properly, differ. We are, however, taking action, for example, by regional monitoring of decisions and by regular seminars for social fund officers, to ensure the highest possible standard of decision-making across the whole country.
§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the 100 social security offices which are to have their social fund allocations increased as a result of particular pressures, referred to in his written answer of 19 December to the hon. Member for Sherwood (Mr. Stewart).
§ Mr. ScottDetails of the 96 local offices that have received increased social fund allocations for 1989–90 are in the Library.
§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give consideration to amending directions 10 and 28 of his social fund directions to allow claims for the cost of redecoration in cases where applicants within the social fund manual, paragraphs 6380 and 6505, may only be decorating one room, and the cost of this may be below £30.
§ Mr. ScottNo. The main purpose of the social fund is to provide for expenses that are difficult to meet out of normal income. We believe that it is reasonable to expect
544W
National supplementary benefit income support limits, nursing and residential care homes and additions for personal expenses April 1985 £ November 1985 £ July 1986 £ April 1987 £ April 1988 £ April 1989 £ 1 April 1990 £ Nursing homes Elderly and others 138.60 170 170 175 185 190 200 Mentally ill 148.60 180. 180 180 185 195 200 Drug/Alcohol dependent 148.60 180 180 180 185 190 200 Mentally handicapped 168.60 200 200 200 200 205 215 Physically disabled under pension age 198.60 230 230 230 230 235 245 Terminally ill 198.60 230 230 230 230 235 245 Residential care homes Elderly 110 120 125 130 130 140 150 Very dependent or blind elderly — — 140 145 155 155 165 Mentally ill 120 130 130 130 130 140 150 Drug/Alcohol dependent 120 130 130 130 140 140 150 Mentally Handicapped 140 150 150 150 160 165 175 Physically disabled under pension age 170 180 180 190 190 200 210 Others 110 120 125 130 130 140 150 Greater London extension — — 17.50 17.50 17.50 23.00 23.00 Addition for personal expenses 8.50 8.95 905 9.25 9.55 10.05 10.55 1 Proposed people to budget for small expenses from their regular weekly income without help from the social fund. However, a social fund crisis loan may be considered for an amount below £30 if the applicant has no other resources and there is a serious risk to the health or safety of the applicant or a member of his or her family.