HC Deb 14 December 1994 vol 251 cc675-6W
Mr. Denham

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many social fund applications for(a) grants and (b) loans have been turned down in each local office in the Benefits Agency southern territory in each year since 1990–91;

(2) how many social fund applications for (a) grants and (b) loans were turned down even though the applicant fulfilled qualifying criteria due to local budgeting restriction in each local office in the Benefits Agency southern territory in each year since 1990–91.

Mr. Roger Evans

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.

Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. John Denham, dated 13 December 1994: The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking how many Social Fund grant and loan applications were refused, and how many were

Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5 Column 6
Benefits/Allowances Date introduction announced Date introduced Rate at announcement £ Rate when introduced £ Current rate £
Christmas bonus November 1972 December 1972 10.00 10.00 10.00
Income Support— amounts for meals where these cannot be purchased within the accommodation:
daily rates breakfast November 1987 April 1988 1.10 1.10 1.10
midday/evening meal November 1987 April 1988 1.55 1.55 1.55
Ilford Park Polish Home—personal expenses for:
claimant November 1987 April 1988 11.50 11.50 17.35
partner November 1987 April 1988 11.50 11.50 17.35
dependent children aged 18 November 1987 April 1988 10.30 10.30 15.55
Maternity Allowance—
higher rate March 1994 June 1994 52.50 52.50 52.50
Retirements Pension—age 80 addition March 1971 September 1971 0.25 0.25 0.25
Social Fund— Maternity Payment December 1985 April 1987 approx. 75.00 85.00 100.00

refused due to local budgeting restrictions, for each local office in the Benefits Agency's Southern Territory since 1990/91. Information for 1990/91 is not available in the format requested; this is because the Southern Territory has only existed from April 1991 when the Benefits Agency was formed. However, I have provided details of the number of loan and grant applications refused in each of the Districts in the Southern Territory for the years 1991/92, 1992/93 and 1993/94 at Annex A; a copy has been placed in the Library. The number refused on the grounds of insufficient priority for the same period has been provided at Annex B and a copy has also been placed in the Library. The new Social Fund Computer System (SFCS), introduced in 1993/94, collects additional statistics which were not held on the previous system. Many statistical items are collected differently and are not directly comparable with earlier years. The previous system recorded reasons for refusal per application whereas SFCS records reasons for refusal per item requested. In cases where a partial award is made, a reason for refusal will also be appropriate. As SCFS was introduced into Districts on a rollout basis throughout 1993/94, the figures for that year will be a combination of the information held on the two systems. I hope you find this reply helpful.