§ Mr. FrenchTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what help is available from the social fund to people on income support who have suffered loss and damage as a result of the recent flooding in the Glasgow area; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Roger EvansDisaster relief following flooding is essentially a matter for the relevant local authority. However, crisis loans can be made available through the social fund to help individuals in such circumstances. Community care grants are also available to help those who might otherwise be in danger of going into care; or to families who find themselves under exceptional pressure. Applications to the social fund are dealt with by specially trained social fund officers who look carefully at the individual circumstances surrounding each application and use discretion and flexibility when forming their decisions. I would expect the majority of any flood applications to the social fund to be dealt with under normal procedures.
Up until 14 December a total of 311 social fund awards had been made to people in the Glasgow area who have been affected by the severe flooding, at a cost of £20,102. The majority of awards were for community care grants. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security proposes to make a social fund in–year allocation of £120,000 to the district offices affected. This will enable reimbursement of the additional expenditure already made and make available an extra £80,000 in grants and £20,000 in loans.