§ Mr. McLeishTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in how many cases in each Benefits Agency district in Scotland in the most recent period for which data are available an application for(a) community care grant, (b) budget loan and (c) crisis loan met the criteria but was refused because of budgetary constraints or insufficient priority; and what that was as a proportion of the total number of (i) applications and (ii) refusals in each of the Benefits Agency districts.
§ 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 with such information as is available.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Henry McLeish, dated 27 June 1994:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the operation of the Social Fund in Scotland.I have enclosed the information you requested, relating to 1993–94 and 1994–95 to date, and a copy has been placed in the Library.The Social Fund Computer System (SFCS), introduced to Scotland during the period March 1993—January 1994, collects statistical items differently from the previous system and they are not directly comparable with previous years. The old system recorded reasons for refusal per application, whereas the SFCS records reasons for refusal per item requested. In cases where a partial award is made, a reason for refusal will also be appropriate. Therefore, the sum of all the reasons for refusal will not equal the number of application refusals.Social Fund Officers (SFOs) ensure that the highest priority needs are met while adopting as consistent an approach as 531W possible. The Area SFO (District Office Manager) issues guidance on the order of priorities (high, medium or low) and the level of priority which can be sustained from the budget available to the District. Similarly, the District Office's budget, which must not be exceeded, has to be managed so that, as far as possible, similar levels of need can be met throughout the year.I hope you find this reply helpful.
§ Mr. McLeishTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications for help from the social fund for budgetary loans and crisis loans were refused on the grounds of inability to pay; and what that was as a proportion of the total number of(a) loan applications and (b) loan refusals for each of the Benefit Agency districts in Scotland for each year since 1990–91 for each local office.
§ 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 with such information as is available.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Henry McLeish, dated 27 June 1994:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the operation of the Social Fund in Scotland.I have enclosed the information you requested and a copy has been placed in the Library. The Social Fund Computer System, introduced to Scotland during the period March 1993—January 1994, collects statistical items differently from the previous system and they are not directly comparable with previous years.The actual level of refusals on the grounds of inability to repay is very low. Money advice may be given to people in these circumstances on ways to reduce expenditure in order to maximise disposable income.The guidance to Social Fund Officers advises that where a loan application is received, the possibility that a non-repayable Community Care Grant may be more appropriate should be considered first.I hope you find this reply helpful.