HC Deb 01 March 1990 vol 168 cc317-8W
Mr. John Evans

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate for social fund spending on loans and grants for the next two years.

Mr. Scott

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Peckham (Ms. Harman) on 10 November 1989 at column813. An announcement regarding the budget for 1991–92 will be made nearer the time.

Mr. Bowis

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many individuals have so far benefited from social fund loans.

Mr. Scott

Since the beginning of the scheme in April 1988 over 1.7 million budgeting loans and crisis loans have been awarded. It is not possible to say how many individuals have benefited as an applicant may have received more than one loan.

Mr. Meacher

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he is taking, following the High Court judgment on 21 February on the operation of the social fund, to ensure that every social fund application which has been refused is reviewed in the light of the judgment and in accordance with direction 31 in the social fund manual.

Mr. Scott

Our intention is that the revised guidance to social fund officers to which I referred in my reply to the hon. Member on 26 February at column58 should be accompanied by any necessary advice on the question of reviews.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether social fund officers are free to disregard the paragraphs of the social fund manual in which they are told they should under no circumstances make an award which cannot be paid from the local office budget.

Mr. Scott

As I indicated in my reply to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) on 26 February at column 58, a letter was sent by electronic mail on the day of the High Court judgment which advised social fund officers that the local office budget and the level of priority that might usually be met are factors to be taken into account in reaching a decision and that the state of the local office is not the overriding factor. We intend to issue revised guidance shortly.