§ Mr. DewarTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many clients are receiving help from the independent living (1993) fund; how many applications have been refused since the fund started operating; and what percentage of its first year budget of £4 million has been spent.
§ Mr. ScottI am informed by the director of the independent living (1993) fund that, as at 3 May, there were 268 severely disabled people receiving payments from the fund. In a further 135 cases, offers of help had been made, but had not yet been taken up by the client. Since 1 April 1993 the fund has refused 443 applications.
I am further informed that the 1993 fund spent £841,858 in its first year of operation; representing 21 per cent. of the first year budget.
136WThe fund estimates that the full year costs of the case load taken on in its first year will be around £6.28 million in this financial year, assuming current trends.