§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications for income support under the discretionary severe hardship provisions were made, and what percentage were successful, in November 1992, December 1992, January 1993 and February 1993.
§ 1. Mr. BurtThe available information is in the table:
Date Severe Hardship Applications Successful claims Per cent. November 1992 8,668 78 December 1992 7,183 80 January 1993 12,647 85 Notes:
Source: Severe hardship claims unit statistics.
2. Figures for February 1993 are not yet available.
§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total amount paid out to persons aged 16 and 17 years under the discretionary severe hardship provisions in each of the years since 1988.
§ Mr. BurtThe requested information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The amount of benefit paid to successful severe hardship applicants is not collected centrally.
§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the annual budget of the severe hardship unit responsible for administering discretionary income support payments to young people at risk from hardship.
§ Mr. BurtIncome support, of which severe hardship payments form a part, is not constrained by a budget.