HC Deb 09 June 1992 vol 209 cc137-8W
Ms. Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what revision of priorities he has undertaken in respect of those claiming social fund community care grants.

Mr. Scott

The Secretary of State's and local guidance on priorities regarding community care grants is kept under regular review; any necessary adjustments are published in the "Social Fund Officer's Guide"; up to date copies of the guide are available in the Library.

Ms. Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give the 1991–92 allocation for social fund community care grants, benefit agency by benefit agency, and the allocation for 1992–93.

Mr. Scott

The information requested is available in the Library.

Ms. Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give as a percentage figure the budget increase for 1992–93 over 1991–92 for social fund community care grant allocations and the percentage increase in the number of claimants for the social fund community care grant for 1991–92.

Mr. Scott

Figures on social fund applicants are not available in the precise form requested; but information concerning budget allocations and the number of community care grant applications is available in the Library.

Ms. Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the social fund community care grant to meet the needs of claimants in Stoke on Trent; what targets have been set; and if he will give a breakdown of the levels of outstanding claims; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Scott

The administration of the social fund 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 copies will be placed in the Library and the Public Information Office.

Ms. Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for 1991-92 in respect of the Stoke on Trent benefits agency in percentage terms the numbers of (i) homeless and (ii) other categories of claimant who(a) qualified for social fund community care grants and (b) received social fund community care grants.

Mr. Scott

I understand from Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency, that the information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Ms. Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out the objectives which the social fund community care grants are required to meet and list those client groups entitled to social fund community care grants.

Mr. Scott

The objectives of community care grants are set out in the Secretary of State's directions, and guidance on their interpretation is set out in the "Social Fund Officer's Guide", copies of which are available in the Library. This includes details of client groups.

Ms. Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will assess the implications for those seeking a social fund community care grant of his decision to limit the budget; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Scott

Research into the operation of the fund, including community care grants, has already been commissioned from the social policy research unit of York university and is due to be published shortly. We will be looking at the results carefully.