HC Deb 26 January 1994 vol 236 cc268-9W
Mr. Pike

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is(a) the administrative cost and (b) the administrative cost as a percentage of the payments made by his Department of (i) income support, social fund, (ii) grants, (iii) social fund loans and (iv) family credit.

Mr. Burt

The latest available information is for 1991–92. The administrative cost as a percentage of benefit expenditure is in the table, which is an extract from the 1993 departmental report.

Estimated administration costs 1991–92
Administration cost (£ million) Administration cost as a percentage of benefit
Income support 1,373 11.8
Social fund1 163 245.2
Family credit 33 5.3
1 Separate costs for social fund grants-loans are not available.
2 Costs reflect the discretionary nature of most social fund decisions and recovery and recycling of money from loans.

The next departmental report is due to be published by March 1994.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average cost, as a proportion of each claim, of administration of(a) child benefit, (b) income support, (c) invalidity benefit, (d) family credit and (e) the social fund.

Mr. Burt

The latest available information for the year 1991–92 is in the table.

Estimated administration costs 1991–92
Administration cost (£ million) Administration cost as percentage of benefit
Child benefit and one parent benefit1 118 2.2
Income support 1,373 11.8
Sickness and invalidity benefit1 275 5.7
Family credit 233 5.3
Social fund 163 345.2

Source: 1993 departmental report.

1 Cost not available in respect of benefits.

2 Includes increased capital investment for information technology and publicity costs.

3Costs reflect the discretionary nature of most social fund decisions and recovery and recycling of money from loans.

The next departmental report is due to be published by March 1994.

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