§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the refusal rate for(a) community care grants and (b) social fund loans at the Northfield and Moseley Road Benefits Agency offices in Birmingham for April 1992 to date.
§ Mr. ScottThe 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 and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Dr. Lynne Jones, dated 5 February 1993:
As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to the points raised in your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the refusal rate for community care grants and social fund loans at Northfield and Moseley Road offices in Birmingham.Information is held for the Benefits Agency's Birmingham South West District, which comprises the Northfield and Moseley Road offices. The refusal rate for community care grants and social fund loans for the period 1 April 1992 to 31 December 1992 (latest available data) is 74.9 per cent and 31.6 per cent. respectively. I should emphasise that the vast majority of community care grants refusals are because the application fails to meet the basic criteria.I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy of this letter will appear in the Offical Report. A copy is also being placed in the Library.