§ Mr. SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many applicants to the social fund in Nottinghamshire have two or more social fund loans outstanding;
(2) what percentage of social fund loans are (a) being repaid at 5 per cent. of the income support applicable amount and (b) have been rescheduled to allow for a lower repayment rate in each of the West, East and North Nottinghamshire benefit areas during 1992–93.
§ Mr. ScottThe information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans to introduce a regulatory grant system to replace the social fund.
§ Mr. SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to review access to social fund loans and grants for(a) applicants who cannot demonstrate an ability to repay loans and (b) applicants who have an income just above the income support threshold but who do not qualify for social fund help.
§ Mr. ScottWe have no such plans to change the basic principles of the current social fund scheme which has succeeded in helping very large numbers of needy people while helping to keep expenditure under control.
§ Mr. SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to increase the social fund budget in line with unemployment.
§ Mr. ScottThe social fund gross discretionary budget has risen by over 50 per cent. since April 1991. This substantial increase is substantially greater than the rise in unemployment.
§ Mr. SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average waiting time from first application for a social fund local review to decision by the social fund inspectorate for(a) budgeting loans, (b) crisis loans and (c) community care grants.
§ Mr. SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will implement the recommendation of the82W Social Security Advisory Committee in connection with crisis loans, in respect of the payment in advance rather than in arrears of income support.
§ Mr. SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received from welfare rights advisers in Nottinghamshire on the working of the social fund; and what response he has made.
§ Mr. ScottWe receive many representations on the working of the social fund. We have received none recently from Nottinghamshire welfare rights advisers. I understand that there is regular liaison between the district offices and many of the advisers in the area.