§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications were made by 16 to 17-year-old persons for income support due to severe hardship in(a) Inverclyde, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Scotland as a whole in each of the past three years; and of these how many were successful in (i) Inverclyde, (ii) Strathclyde and (iii) Scotland as a whole.
§ Mr. BurtThe administration of income support is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Letter from Ann Robinson to Dr. Norman Godman, dated 1 April 1993:
As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency it is the responsibility of Mr. Michael Bichard to answer questions about relevant operational matters. However, as Mr. Bichard 489W is away at the moment I am replying on his behalf to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking how many applications were made by 16 to 17 year old persons for Income Support due to severe hardship in (a) Inverclyde, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Scotland as a whole in each of the past three years; and of these how many were successful in (i) Inverclyde, (ii) Strathclyde and (iii) Scotland as a whole.
The relevant information is appended. Information is not available prior to June 1990 because statistics were not kept until that date. In addition, the 1991 statistics for Inverclyde and Strathclyde do not include information relating to March 1991. This information has been obtained from the Severe Hardship Claims Unit.
I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy of this letter will appear in the Official Report and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Severe hardship applications Number of applications Number successful 1990 (June to December) Inverclyde 115 72 Strathclyde 2,767 2,141 Scotland 4,755 3,593 1991 (January to December) Inverclyde 323 244 Strathclyde 7,671 6,280 Scotland 13,641 10,983 Figures for Strathclyde and Inverclyde may be subject to amendment. Any amendments will be notified to you. 1992 (January to December) Inverclyde 354 274 Strathclyde 12,929 10,586 Scotland 22,795 18,360